A low-fouling polymer surface prepared by controlled segregation of poly(ethylene oxide) and its functionalization with biomolecules

A polymer surface was modified by dip coating a mixture of three kinds of polymers: methacrylate-based terpolymers containing both perfluoroalkyl (Rf) groups and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as side chains, vinylidenefluoride-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (CH2CF2)80(CF2CF2)20, and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). These modified surfaces showed resistance to nonspecific protein adsorption, antithrombogenicity and resistance to cell adhesion due to surface-segregated PEO chains. We also succeeded in covalent conjugation of biotin with the termini of PEO chains and demonstrated the immobilization of streptavidin on the dip-coated surface.