Monolithic polymeric porous superhydrophobic material with pneumatic plastron stabilization for functionally durable drag reduction in blood-contacting biomedical applications

Abstract

Superhydrophobic (SHP) surfaces can provide substantial reductions in flow drag forces and reduce blood damage in cardiovascular medical devices. However, strategies for functional durability are necessary, as many SHP surfaces have low durability under abrasion or strong fluid jetting or eventually lose their air plastron and slip-flow capabilities due to plastron gas dissolution, high fluid pressure, or fouling. Here, we present a functional material that extends the functional durability of superhydrophobic slip flow. Facile modification of a porous superhydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon) foam produced suitable surface structures to enable fluid slip flow and resist protein fouling. Its monolithic nature offered abrasion durability, while its porosity allowed pressurized air to be supplied to resist fluid impalement and to replenish the air plastron lost to the fluid through dissolution. Active pore pressure control could resist high fluid pressures and turbulent flow conditions across a wide range of applied pressures. The pneumatically stabilized material yielded large drag reductions (up to 50%) even with protein fouling, as demonstrated from high-speed water jetting and closed loop pressure drop tests. Coupled with its high hemocompatibility and impaired protein adsorption, this easily fabricated material can be viable for incorporation into blood-contacting medical devices.

A hand‐targeted auxiliary personal protective equipment for intervention of fomite transmission of viruses

“…To further improve its water repellency, the TGM PU may be modified to achieve superhydrophobicity (WCA > 150°) either by adjusting its chemical composition 54 , 55 or by introducing microtextures. 56 Superhydrophobicity may also confer self‐cleaning properties to the FlexiPalms. 57 TGM PU‐based FlexiPalms with high water vapor transmission will reduce the accumulation of moisture on the palms and increase user comfort, especially with prolonged use.…”

Research progress on eco-friendly superhydrophobic materials in environment, energy and biology

“…Superhydrophobic materials can also address post-operative thrombosis and hemolysis by reducing the flow resistance to reduce blood damage in medical devices. Marlena et al 196 prepared superhydrophobic materials with durable drag reduction via the simple modification of porous PTFE foam. It exhibited high blood compatibility and protein adsorption and could be used in medical devices in contact with blood.…”

“…22–25 High roughness and low surface energy are more conducive to obtaining superhydrophobic surfaces, which also guide the design, preparation and applications of artificial superhydrophobic materials. 26–34…”

“…[22][23][24][25] High roughness and low surface energy are more conducive to obtaining superhydrophobic surfaces, which also guide the design, preparation and applications of artificial superhydrophobic materials. [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] To obtain a lower surface energy, fluorides, [35][36][37] sulfhydryl compounds, [38][39][40] long carbon chain substances, [41][42][43] and other reagents are commonly used to construct or modify surfaces to achieve superhydrophobicity. However, these chemical modifiers are toxic and harmful to human beings and the environment, which is not conducive to health, safety, and sustainability requirements of current practice development and greatly restricts the popularization of superhydrophobic materials.…”

Recent Advances in Photocatalysis Based on Bioinspired Superwettabilities

“…The Nepenthes pitcher plant uses its slippery surface to capture insects . With these natural creatures as inspiration, biomimetic superwettable materials have been widely reported. − Simultaneously, diverse applications have been the subject of research in recent years, such as self-cleaning, − antifouling, − water collection, − drag reduction, − antiicing, − oil/water separation, − antifogging, − and so on.…”