Modification of gold surface by grafting of poly(ethylene glycol) for reduction in protein adsorption and platelet adhesion

Gold surfaces were first treated in an alkanethiol solution to form self-as sembled monolayers (SAMs). The thiolated Au surface was then subjected to A r plasma pretreatment, followed by air exposure and UV-induced graft polyme rization of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) macromonomer. In com parison with the 3-mercaptopropionic acid-2-ethylhexyl ester (MPAEE) SAM, t he (3-mercaptoproply)trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) SAM on An exhibited higher st ability under the conditions of Ar plasma pretreatment, The graft concentra tion of the PEGMA polymer on SAM-modified An surface increased with increas ing PEGMA macromonomer concentration and UV-graft polymerization time. The modified-Au surfaces were characterized by X-ray spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and water contact angle measurement. The Au surfac e with a high concentration of grafted PEGMA polymer could completely repel protein adsorption and platelet adhesion.