Surface properties biofouling

Polymer surface modifications are omnipresent in applications where the surface properties of materials with favorable bulk properties are insufficient. By altering the surface characteristics using physical or chemical modification the desired surface properties may be achieved. Such treatments are required e.g. to enhance printability of films, the adhesion of paints, metal or other coatings, biocompatibility, protein resistances/reduced biofouling, etc. The diverse approaches met in practice include, among others, wet chemical and gas phase chemistry, plasma or corona, UV/ozone and flame treatments. In most cases surface chemical modification reactions take place that alter the surface energy in a desired way. For example,... 

Knoell T., Safank J., Cormack T., Riley R., Lin S.W., Ridgway H. (1999), Biofouling potentials of microporous polysulfone membranes containing a sulfonated polyether-ethersulfone/polyethersulfone block copolymer correlation of membrane surface properties with bacterial attachment, J Membrane Science, 157, 117-138. 

Pasmore, M., Todd, R, Smith, S., et al. 2001. Effect of ultrafiltration membranes surface properties on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofihn initiation for the purpose of reducing biofouling. 194 15-32. 

M. Pasmore, P. Todd, S. Smith, D. Baker, J. SUverstein, D. Coons, C.N. Bowman, Effects of ultrafiltration membrane surface properties on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm initiation for the purpose of reducing biofouling, J Memb Sci, 194 (2001) 15-32. 

This proposal describes the development of a new, systematic approach for qualitatively and quantitatively studying surface-biomolecule interactions by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDl) mass spectrometry (MS). This methodology is being developed because of the profound importance that surface-biomolecule interactions play in applications where biomaterials come into contact with complex biological fluids, it can readily be shown that undesired reactions occurring in response to surface-biomolecule contact (protein adsorption, biofouling, immune response activation, etc.) lead to enormous economic and human costs. Thus, the development of analytical methodologies that allow for efficient assessment of the properties of new biomaterials and/or the study of detailed fundamental processes initiated upon surface-biomolecule contact are of critical value ... 

Exposure to extreme pH, temperature, or ionic strengths can result in denaturation of bioactive species and a subsequent loss in bioactivity. As with all sensors, CEP sensors will be subject to chemical fouling and biofouling. The design of polymer surfaces and the use of impressed potentials may be useful in addressing this problem. As mentioned, if exposed to extreme positive potentials (>0.80 V), conducting polymers will become overoxidized. This results in a loss of conductivity and electroactivity and a degradation of mechanical properties. 

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