Prevention of protein and polymeric nanoparticles adsorption using perfluoropolyether

Abstract

A fluoropolymer, perfluoropolyether (PFPE) was examined as an anti-adsorbing material that prevents protein and nanoparticle adsorption. PFPE has a fluoroalkyl chain that has low surface energy with both hydrophobicity and oleophobicity. Exploiting these properties, selective adsorption of protein and polymeric nanoparticles was achieved on a micropatterned surface where PFPE passivated the surface against adsorption of biomolecular and polymeric nanoparticles. Adsorption of model particles, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and latex nanoparticle, were tested on the patterned surface. PFPE remarkably prevented the adsorption of both nanoparticles while considerable adsorption of nanoparticles was observed on the negatively charged carboxyl-terminated surface. This outcome suggests that PFPE is a promising coating material that can be exploited for anti-biofouling.