Surface functionalized substrates and their interactions with biomolecules and cells

Abstract

Surface functionalization techniques were developed to confer polypyrrole (PPY), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), filter paper and cotton cloth with specific applications. The PPY was surface functionalized with glucose oxidase (GOD) and viologen moieties, and hyaluronic acid (HA) through graft copolymerization and coupling reactions. The enzymatic activities of immobilized GOD, and biological activity and antifouling property of immobilized HA were assayed. The PET, PVDF, filter paper and cotton cloth were modified with pyridinium groups via 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) grafting and post derivatization with hexylbromide. The antibacterial properties of these functionalized surfaces were assessed involving single species or wild multi-species and the adhesion issues of the different surfaces were also addressed. The present study has shown that surface functionalization by graft copolymerization offers advantages of simplicity and flexibility in altering surface functionalities and density of the functional groups. These surfaces can be applied in biological systems to achieve the desired functions with long term stability.