Well-defined sulfobetaine-based statistical copolymers as potential antibioadherent coatings

The potential use of novel poly(sulfobetaine) copolymers as antibioadherent coatings was investigated using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model microorg anism and human macrophages and 3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Two well-d efined statistical copolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions we re prepared by group transfer copolymerization of n-butyl methacrylate (nBu MA) with either 10 or 30 mol % 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) . Sulfobetainized nBuMA-DMAEMA copolymers (poly[sulfobetaine-stat-nBuMA]) w ere obtained by treating these precursor polymers with 1,3-propanesultone u nder mild conditions. Both proton NMR spectroscopy and elemental microanaly ses indicated that essentially all the DMAEMA residues were derivatized in both copolymers. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) discs were coated with th e sulfobetainized nBuMA-DMAEMA copolymers and the bioadherent properties of these coated materials were compared with those of PMMA. Statistically sig nificantly fewer (p < .05) bacteria, macrophages, and fibroblasts adhered t o the poly(sulfobetaine-stat-nBuMA)-coated PMMA than to the uncoated PMMA. The poly(sulfobetaine-stat-nBuMA) copolymer containing the higher proportio n (30 mol %) sulfobetainized DMAEMA residues proved to be the more effectiv e antibioadherent coating. The antibioadherent properties of these coating materials may allow the cost-effective production of dirt-resistant, easy t o clean work surfaces, bioinert coatings for medical devices, and antifouli ng coatings for marine, agricultural, and industrial applications. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.