Zwitterionic Polymer-Based Platform with Two-Layer Architecture for Ultra Low Fouling and High Protein Loading

High resistance to nonspecific adsorption typically accompanies loss of binding capacity and vice versa for many surface coatings and applications. In this study, a zwitterionic polycarboxybetaine acrylamide (pCB)-based binding platform with a two-layer structure for ultra low fouling and high protein loading properties was developed. The first pCB layer with a high packing density prepared under a water-free condition serves as a protective layer to resist nonspecific adsorption from complex media. The second pCB layer with a low packing density is used to achieve high protein binding capacity. Amounts of tetraethylthiuram disulfide (TED) and water in the reaction were varied to regulate the packing density and chain length of polymers, respectively, for the second pCB layer. The in situ modification of pCB films with antihuman thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) IgG molecules and the detection of TSH antigens were employed to demonstrate high protein immobilization and high antigen detection capabilities of this two-layer structure. Undiluted blood plasma was used to test the nonfouling properties of this platform. Nonspecific and specific interactions were monitored by a surface plasmon resonance sensor. This work demonstrates great promise of this two-layer binding platform for the improved performance of biosensors.