Preparation and characterization of glycosylated maleic anhydride copolymer thin films

Understanding the interactions between biological systems and biomaterials is substantially facilitated by the detailed knowledge of the molecular and structural features of the solid surface. Therefore, we utilize maleic anhydride copolymer thin films as a versatile platform allowing a defined gradation of the physicochemical characteristics of the surfaces. The present study reports the surface immobilization of the 2-aminoethoxyl-β-d-glucopyranoside to gain a sugar-based polymer layer being a precursor for potential anti-coagulant coatings. The attachment of the glycoside molecule onto the maleic anhydride copolymer thin films occurred readily from differently concentrated aqueous solutions. The surface modification was monitored by ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and dynamic water contact angle measurements. We clearly demonstrate that, first, the surface attachment of the glucose derivative depended on the solution concentration and, second, the glycoside molecule was incorporated in the polymer rather than forming a separate layer onto the maleic anhydride copolymer film.