Electrokinetic surface characterization of biomedical polymers — a survey

Abstract

The application of streaming potential measurements in support of the development of blood compatible polymers is reviewed. Current knowledge about the relevance of interfacial charge of materials with respect to thrombogenicity of and coagulation activation by medical devices is discussed. Potentialities of streaming potential measurements for the characterization of biomedical polymers comprise the distinction between interfacial charge formation processes, the derivation of acid–base characteristics of surface functions, and the estimation of the relative contribution of known molecular surface sites to the interfacial charge density. Frequently, polymer surfaces consist of different types of surface sites. Beyond sites with Bronsted-acidic or -basic character the preferential adsorption of electrolyte ions onto indifferent surface sites may substantially contribute to the interfacial charge. Examples are given for the detection of acidic and basic properties of hemodialysis membranes of different shape made of poly(sulfone)/poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and cellulose derivates. For partially amine-modified cellulose flat membranes the percentage of basic surface sites is derived from the shift of the isoelectric point. Further, the use of streaming potential measurements is demonstrated in the optimization of surface modifications of cardiovascular implant materials by low pressure plasma treatments. The introduction of basic groups into the poly(tetrafluoroethylene) implant surfaces by ammonia plasma treatments manifests itself in the shift of the isoelectric point. A correlation between hydrophobicity and charge formation of the polymer–solution interface by preferential ion adsorption is confirmed for polymers without dissociating functions. This is based on the comparison of water contact angles for a series of poly(styrene) derivates of different hydrophobicity and the maximum zeta potential of these polymer films in potassium hydroxide solutions. Advanced applications of streaming potential measurements for the characterization of biomedical polymers are comprise the in situ characterization of protein adsorption processes onto polymer solids. This approach is demonstrated for the adsorption of the blood plasma proteins albumin and fibrinogen onto a fluorocarbon polymer substrate. The potentialities of a recently developed microslit electrokinetic setup are illustrated which permits to study simultaneously zeta potential and surface conductivity of flat polymer–liquid interfaces. Data gained by the microslit electrokinetic setup reveal the dramatic increase of the surface conductivity of a fluorocarbon polymer–solution interface caused by fibrinogen adsorption.