Adsorption of pluronic F-127 on surfaces with different hydrophobicities probed by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation.
Triblock copolymers of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polypropylene oxide (PPO), that is, PEOn-PPOm-PEOn, better known as Pluronic can adsorb to surfaces in either a pancake or a brushlike configuration. The brushlike configuration is advantageous in numerous applications, since it constitutes a surface repellent to proteins and microorganisms. The conformation of the adsorbed Pluronic layer depends on the hydrophobicity of the substratum surface, but the hydrophobicity threshold above which a brushlike conformation is adopted is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate Pluronic F-127 adsorption on surfaces with different hydrophobicities using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation. Adsorption in a brushlike conformation occurred on surfaces with a water contact angle above 80 degrees , as inferred from the thickness, viscosity, and elasticity of the adsorbed layer. The concentration of Pluronic F-127 in solution affected only the kinetics of adsorption and not the final layer thickness or conformation of adsorbed Pluronic molecules.
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen and University of Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 1, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands.
M Reza
MR
Nejadnik
Adam L J
AL
Olsson
Prashant K
PK
Sharma
Henny C
HC
van der Mei
Willem
W
Norde
Henk J
HJ
Busscher
D000327:Adsorption; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000737:chemistry*; D011791:Quartz; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D020442:Poloxamer; D011791:Quartz; D006046:Gold; D014025:Titanium