Surface-hydrophilic and protein-resistant silicone elastomers prepared by hydrosilylation of vinyl poly(ethylene glycol) on hydrosilanes-poly(dimethylsiloxane) surfaces

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was grafted on the hydrophobic poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surface as a hydrophilic outmost monolayer for potential applications such as biomaterials, microfluidics, and anti-fouling coatings. A two component sylgard 184 PDMS (part A of poly(hydrogen methyl siloxane) (PMHS) and part B of poly(methyl vinyl siloxane) (PMVS)) was vulcanized in an off-ratio of, A/B > 1/10, where excess Si–H species exist in the elastomer. An allyl PEG took the hydrosilylation reaction with the surface Si–H groups, catalyzed by the Speierʹs or Karstedtʹs catalyst, and resulted a hydrophilic and anti-fouling surface. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) observations revealed a well uniform surface with a surface height variation at angstrom scale. Bovine Serum (BS), Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), Lysozyme (Lys), and Rb IgG/FITC were used to evaluate the protein adsorption on PEG-coated PDMS surface by means of the well-established ATR-FTIR and fluorescence scanner. Results indicated that the PEG monolayer was efficient in reducing the adsorption of proteins.