Authors:	Ye, Lijun
Advisor:	Butt, Hans-Jürgen
Title:	Polymer-based biomaterials with specific surface features for antibiofouling, blood-repelling dressing, and nerve tissue engineering
Online publication date:	24-Feb-2022
Year of first publication:	2022
Language:	english
Abstract:	In the biological and medical fields, surfaces/interfaces are critical for the application of materials in, e.g., wound dressing, medical devices and implants, that interact with microorganisms, blood and proteins, cells and tissues. Therefore, the surface properties of biomaterials are of utmost importance and should be carefully designed for specific bio-/medical applications. This thesis describes the preparation and characterization of three different polymer-based biomaterials with specific surface features for potential applications in antibiofouling, blood repellency, and promoting neuronal differentiation. First, I describe a new type of ionogel with a responsive, self-replenishing surface for combating biofouling. The ionogels are prepared by infiltrating solid/liquid mixtures of ionic liquids into a semicrystalline polymer skeleton. The specific surface features are derived from the spontaneous migration of the ionic liquid mixtures from the gel matrix, forming a surface layer. The surface layer serves as a ‘firewall’, killing bacteria on contact and inhibiting biofilm development at early stages. Upon heating, the solid surface of the ionogel transforms into the liquid-infused state, induced by the phase transition of the surface layer. The biofilms developed on the surface are easily removed. The antimicrobial efficiency is restored after biofilm detachment. Next, I describe an elastic, superhydrophobic and photocatalytically active coating designed for wound dressing. The coating is prepared from the assembly of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles crosslinked with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The PDMS/TiO2-coated surfaces exhibit superior repellency to blood due to their superhydrophobicity. The elastic coatings show excellent stability under mechanical deformation. The superhydrophobicity of the surfaces can be restored by UV illumination even after fouled with the organic contaminant due to photocatalytic activity. Besides, the PDMS/TiO2 coatings enhance the antibacterial efficiency under UV light illumination. Finally, I describe a novel and versatile method of preparing composites comprised of carbon nanotubes and poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel for potential application in nerve tissue engineering. The effect of the composites on neuronal differentiation and network excitability is investigated. The differentiation and survival of neurons are promoted when cultured on the composites with the enhanced surface microstructures and protein adsorption. Furthermore, no significant change in the excitability of network activity is observed in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons. The results suggest that the composites are novel versatile substrates with several advantages for neuronal differentiation while maintaining homeostatic properties of neuronal network excitability. The projects highlighted the significant role of surface characteristics of biomaterials that interact with biological systems.
DDC:	540 Chemie 540 Chemistry and allied sciences
Institution:	Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
Department:	Externe Einrichtungen
Place:	Mainz
ROR:	https://ror.org/023b0x485
DOI:	http://doi.org/10.25358/openscience-6267
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hebis:77-openscience-151cbe77-4ce1-4762-b0fd-7937d82682403
Version:	Original work
Publication type:	Dissertation
License:	In Copyright
Information on rights of use:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Extent:	VI, 138 Seiten, Illustrationen, Diagramme
Appears in collections:	JGU-Publikationen