Self-Assembly, Antipolyelectrolyte Effect, and Nonbiofouling Properties of Polyzwitterions

Abstract

An explanation of the unique nonbiofouling properties of polyzwitterions (PZ) is proposed [in this paper, the term "polyzwitterion" is preferred to "polybetain"]. The existence of an osmotic component of the driving force of the antipolyelectrolyte effect (APE) and the parameters governing this phenomenon are quantitatively established. The correlation between this effect, which is specific of PZ only, and the PZ nonbiofouling properties is grounded.

Zwitterionic copolymer self-assembly for fouling resistant, high flux membranes with size-based small molecule selectivity

“…They have been shown to be highly resistant to biomolecular fouling due to their high degree of hydration [32][33][34][35][36][37]. Since this discovery, many researchers have improved the fouling resistance of membranes by attaching zwitterionic groups on their surface, by post-processing existing membranes [38][39][40][41][42][43][44] or by using zwitterionic surface-segregating additives [45][46][47].…”

“…Typical dipole moments of sulfobetaine-type zwitterions are ~18.7-27.6 D [50], whereas water is only 1.9 D. Due to the presence of permanent dipoles and large electrostatic attractions, antiparallel arrangement of dipoles is theoretically predicted to be the most energetically favorable, and the formation of tubular (channels) or lamellar (disk-like) structures are suggested to be strongly favored, as opposed to spheres [34,51]. Studies on the self-assembly of zwitterionic amphiphilic copolymers indicate that zwitterions form clusters ~1-5 nm in size, as measured by small angle X-ray studies and solid state NMR, but do not report morphology [52][53][54][55][56][57][58].…”

Polymerisation of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid sodium salt (NaAMPS) and acryloyl phosphatidylcholine (APC) via aqueous Cu(0)-mediated radical polymerisation

“…The effect of repulsion can be dissipated by the addition of electrolyte solutes which can shield the prevailing polymer charge leading to adoption of a more common coiled conformation. 3,4 The opposite, or 'anti-polyelectrolyte effect,' is true for polyzwitterions, 5 which incorporate monomers, such as sulfobetaine, carboxybetaine and phosphorylcholine, into the polymer. In aqueous solution opposing charges promote intra chain charge shielding leading to a coil-like conformation which can be swollen, and expanded, upon addition of electrolytes.…”

Trading polymeric microspheres: Exchanging DNA molecules via microsphere interaction

“…Poly(3-dimethyl(methacryloyloxyethyl)ammonium propane sulfonate), PDMAPS is known for its biocompatibility [15,16] and thermoresponsiveness of upper critical solution temperature (UCST) [17][18][19]. Those properties are derived from betaine structure of PDMAPS in the side chain.…”