Synthesis of and Modification with Polyanionic PEG-graft copolymers

The goal of this project is to develop a new grafted copolymer by using a positively charged polyelectrolyte (PAA: poly acrylic acid) and PEG (poly ethylene glycol) as grafted polymer (PAA-g-PEG).

First task is to find the best conditions of synthesis (temperature, pH, solvent and time of reaction, purification) and to synthesize copolymers with different grafting ratios and PEG molecular weights.

Second step consists in studying the influence of grafting ratio and molecular weight of PEG on protein resistance of polymeric adlayers of PAA-g-PEG on postively charged surfaces (Al₂O₃, PLL or PEI coated metal oxides, multilayers). This will be done using OWLS (optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy) and different coated substrates.

Contact:

• Vincent Zoulalian
• Marcus Textor
• Nicholas D. Spencer