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Achieving Microparticles with Cell‐Instructive Surface Chemistry by Using Tunable Co‐Polymer Surfactants
Author(s) -
Dundas Adam A.,
Cuzzucoli Crucitti Valentina,
Haas Simon,
Dubern JeanFrédéric,
Latif Arsalan,
Romero Manuel,
Sanni Olutoba,
Ghaemmaghami Amir M.,
Williams Paul,
Alexander Morgan R.,
Wildman Ricky,
Irvine Derek J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.202001821
Subject(s) - microfluidics , polymer , microparticle , dispersity , materials science , surface modification , nanotechnology , pulmonary surfactant , emulsion polymerization , polymerization , chemical engineering , emulsion , particle (ecology) , moiety , polymer chemistry , chemistry , organic chemistry , composite material , oceanography , geology , engineering
Abstract A flow‐focusing microfluidic device is used to produce functionalized monodisperse polymer particles with surface chemistries designed to control bacterial biofilm formation. This is achieved by using molecularly designed bespoke surfactants synthesized via catalytic chain transfer polymerization. This novel approach of using polymeric surfactants, often called surfmers, containing a biofunctional moiety contrasts with the more commonly employed emulsion methods. Typically, the surface chemistry of microparticles are dominated by unwanted surfactants that dilute/mask the desired surface response. Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) analysis of particles demonstrates that the comb‐graft surfactant is located on the particle surface. Biofilm experiments show how specifically engineered surface chemistries, generated by the surfactants, successfully modulate bacterial attachment to both polymer films, and microparticles. Thus, this paper outlines how the use of designed polymeric surfactants and droplet microfluidics can exert control over both the surface chemistry and size distribution of microparticle materials, demonstrating their critical importance for controlling surface‐cell response.