Protein-Resistant Amphiphilic Copolymers Containing Fluorosiloxane Side Chains with Controllable Length

Molecular-scale compositional heterogeneities can slash the nonspecific interaction between proteins and surfaces, resisting surface contamination. In this work, an amphiphilic copolymer containing a soft fluorosilicone macromonomer with controllable chain length as low-surface-energy hydrophobic component and a zwitterionic monomer as hydrophilic component was prepared to establish molecular-scale compositional heterogeneities. The length of the fluorosiloxane side chains can significantly impact the surface compositional heterogeneities, thus influencing the antifouling performance of the copolymer coatings. Even under water, the coating still retains a large number of low-surface-energy fluorosilicone segments on the surface. The balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments on the surface provides a better synergistic effect, which endows the copolymer coatings with excellent resistance to various proteins.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates that molecular-scale compositional heterogeneities can reduce the nonspecific interaction between proteins and surfaces, leading to improved resistance against surface contamination. The balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments on the surface of the copolymer coatings provides better synergistic effects, resulting in excellent resistance to various proteins.