Surface properties, fibrinogen adsorption, and cellular interactions of a novel phosphorylcholine-containing self-assembled monolayer on gold

A novel synthetic route for the preparation of a phosphorylcholine terminated thiol is presented. The new molecule was characterized by FTIR and NMR and was used to prepare one- and two-component monolayers rich in phosphorylcholine. The new surfaces had an intermediate hydrophilicity based on their sessile contact angles, but dynamic contact angle measurements showed that the surfaces became completely wettable when in contact with water. Ellipsometric measurements revealed that the molecules extended toward the monolayer-air interface similar to well-studied monolayers prepared from methyl- or hydroxyl-terminated thiols. Angle-resolved XPS survey measurements verified that phosphorus, nitrogen, and oxygen were situated closer to the monolayer-air interface, a conclusion also supported by angle-resolved C Is measurements. crazing-angle FTIR data indicated a less ordered structure for all the PC-containing monolayers than that of a methyl-terminated SAM. Fibrinogen adsorption and neutrophil adhesion on the new surfaces were significantly lower than on gold and on CH3-terminated SAMs. Bacterial adhesion was not found to vary significantly between the surfaces examined.