Nonspecific biofouling significantly contributes to complications and device failure. Imparting these medical devices with nonfouling capabilities remains a major challenge. Current strategies, including surface coating and copolymerization/physical blending, necessitate compromise among nonfouling properties, durability, and mechanical strength. I will present two strategies to achieve both high bulk mechanical strength and excellent surface nonfouling properties in one material. A coating-free nonfouling elastomer is realized through a nonfouling polymeric elastomer based on zwitterionic polycarboxybetaine derivatives. By hiding both charged moieties of the zwitterionic compounds, the bulk polymer itself is elastomeric and hydrophobic while its superhydrophilic surface properties are restored upon hydrolysis. Furthermore, I will discuss molecular design principles to achieve both ultralow fouling properties and high mechanical strengths for various zwitterionic materials. <br/>

Nonfouling zwitterionic polymeric elastomer

2019 Fall National Meeting

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