Tunable Protein and Bacterial Cell Adsorption on Colloidally Templated Superhydrophobic Polythiophene Films

Abstract

A facile approach for enabling or inhibiting the adsorption of protein and adhesion of bacterial cells on a potential-induced reversibly wettable polythiophene film is described. The superhydrophobic polymeric surface was first prepared by a two-step process that combines the layering of polystyrene (PS) latex particles via a Langmuir–Blodgett (LB)-like technique followed by cyclic voltammetric (CV)–electrodeposition of polythiophene from a terthiophene ester monomer. The polythiophene conducting polymer coating enabled control of the wettability of the surface by simply changing its redox property via potential switching. The influence of morphology on this switching behavior is also described. The wettability in return controls the adsorption of protein and adhesion of bacterial cells. For instance, the undoped polythiophene film, which is superhydrophobic, inhibits the adhesion of fibrinogen proteins and Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells. On the other hand, the doped film, which is hydrophilic, leads to increased attachment of both protein and bacteria. Unlike most synthetic antiwetting surfaces, the as-prepared superhydrophobic coating is nonfluorinated. It maintains its superhydrophobic property at a wide range of pH (pH 1–13) and temperature (below −10 °C and between 4 and 80 °C). Moreover, the surface demonstrated self-cleaning properties at a sliding angle as low as 3° ± 1. The proposed methodology and material should find application in the preparation of smart or tunable biomaterial surfaces that can be either resistant or susceptible to proteins and bacterial cell adhesion by a simple potential switching.

Designing Bioinspired Anti‐Biofouling Surfaces based on a Superwettability Strategy

“…[ 37,34 ] For example, through combining colloidal lithography with electrodeposited polythiophene derivatives, Pernites et al developed a colloidally templated superhydrophobic polythiophene surfaces with potential-induced reversible wettability between hydrophilicity and superhydrophobicity (Figure 2 b). [ 34 ] The doped hydrophilic polythiophene fi lm leads to the increased attachment of both protein and Escherichia coli ( E. coli ). Applying a low potential (1.05 V), the undoped and superhydrophobic polythiophene fi lm can effi ciently inhibit the adhesion of fi brinogen proteins and E. coli , indicating the superior anti-biofouling capability of superhydrophobic surfaces.…”

“…Reproduced with permission. [34] Copyright 2012, American Chemical Society. c) Compared with the smooth films, the nanostructured superhydrophobic films can largely decrease the adhesion of platelets and avoid the activation and spreading of the occasionally attached platelets.…”

Stimuli‐Responsive Surfaces in Biomedical Applications

“…Morphology variations along with changes in charge associated with the electrochemical state of the conducting polymer film have been responsible for controlling protein (fibrinogen) adsorption and bacterial cell (E. coli) adhesion on surfaces [235]. The polymeric surface was first prepared by a two-step process that combines the layering of polystyrene (PS) latex particles via the Langmuir-Blodgett technique followed by cyclic voltammetric electrodeposition of PT from a terthiophene ester monomer.…”

Protein adsorption and cell adhesion controlled by the surface chemistry of binary perfluoroalkyl/oligo(ethylene glycol) self-assembled monolayers

“…On the other hand, moderate water wettable surfaces, obtained by altering the surface composition and surface roughness, have shown appreciable protein adsorption and cell adhesion [16]. Moreover, wettability switchable surfaces have been developed for controlling protein adsorption and cell adhesion by applying external stimuli such as electrical potential [17] and UV-irradiation [18]. However, developing desirable surfaces that are highly resistant or highly beneficial to protein adsorption and cell adhesion is still the ultimate goal in relevant application fields.…”