Enhancing the protein resistance of silicone via surface-restructuring PEO–silane amphiphiles with variable PEO length

Abstract

Silicones with superior protein resistance were produced by bulk-modification with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)–silane amphiphiles that demonstrated a higher capacity to restructure to the surface–water interface versus conventional non-amphiphilic PEO–silanes. The PEO–silane amphiphiles were prepared with a single siloxane tether length but variable PEO segment lengths: α-(EtO)₃Si(CH₂)₂-oligodimethylsiloxane₁₃-block-poly(ethylene oxide)_n-OCH₃ (n = 3, 8, and 16). Conventional PEO–silane analogues (n = 3, 8, and 16) as well as a siloxane tether-silane (i.e. no PEO segment) were prepared as controls. When surface-grafted onto silicon wafer, PEO–silane amphiphiles produced surfaces that were more hydrophobic and thus more adherent towards fibrinogen versus the corresponding PEO–silane. However, when blended into a silicone, PEO–silane amphiphiles exhibited rapid restructuring to the surface–water interface and excellent protein resistance whereas the PEO–silanes did not. Silicones modified with PEO–silane amphiphiles of PEO segment lengths n = 8 and 16 achieved the highest protein resistance.