Switching the Biointerface of Displaceable Poly-p-xylylene Coatings

Abstract

A new class of functionalized poly-p-xylyene coating has been synthesized to provide switchable and displaceable surface properties for biomaterials. The switchability is achieved through a mechanism for detaching/attaching biomolecules and/or a mechanism through which the programmed restoration of functions or their replacement by other functions can be carried out. This advanced version of poly-p-xylylene comprises an integrated disulfide moiety within the functional side group, and the switching phenomenon between the immobilized functional molecules is triggered by the redox thiol–disulfide interchange reaction. These dynamically well-defined molecules on the surfaces respond simultaneously to altered biological properties and controlled biointerfacial functions, for example, switching wettability or reversibly altered cell adhesion activity. Poly-p-xylylenes are a key player in controlling surface properties for many important applications, such as medical implants, biosensors, bioMEMS devices, and microfluidics. The introduction of this new facet of poly-p-xylylenes enables the dynamic mimicry of biological functions relevant to the design of new biomaterials.

surface modification