title: The impact of structure on elasticity, switchability, stability and functionality of an all-in-one carboxybetaine elastomer.
abstract: In this work, we designed and synthesized an all-in-one zwitterionic material (poly2-((2-hydroxyethyl)(2-methacrylamidoethyl)(methyl)ammonio)acetate (pCBMAA-1)) bearing elasticity, switchable antimicrobial/antifouling properties, and stability. Zwitterionic materials have drawn special attention due to their outstanding antifouling properties; however, conventional zwitterionic materials lack tunable elasticity, stability and antimicrobial properties. We addressed these challenges by integrating all desired properties into a single zwitterionic molecule through rational design. pCBMAA-1 hydrogel showed typical elastomeric stress-strain curves with low Young's modulus and high yield strain, in both tensile and compression tests. About 65% tensile strain and 85% compressive strain were achieved. pCBMAA-1 hydrogel can switch between cationic antimicrobial form and zwitterionic antifouling form. In its cationic ring form, pCBMAA-1 hydrogel killed 99.5% of attached bacterial cells and then released 95% of killed cells. pCBMAA-1 surfaces highly resisted the protein adsorption from 100% blood plasma and serum. The amount of adsorbed protein was below the detection limit (0.3 ng cm(-2)) of the SPR sensor. Compared to existing zwitterionic materials, this material showed the dramatically improved stability in both basic and acidic conditions. We believe that this all-in-one material will broaden the application spectrum of zwitterionic materials to a great extent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Linlin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qiong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D001622:Betaine / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D004548:Elasticity; D020724:Elastomers / Q000737:chemistry*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020724:Elastomers; D020100:Hydrogels; D001622:Betaine
keywords: Antifouling; Antimicrobial; Elastomer; Hydrogel; Lactone; Zwitterionic materials