Ion Complex Copolymer Coating for Low-Temperature Biological Adhesion Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coating films for inhibiting biological substance adhesion require high-temperature heat treatment, are substrate-specific, and can gel during manufacturing, making them difficult to apply and prone to elution in aqueous media.
Innovation Solution
A copolymer formed by polymerizing specific monomers with anionic and cationic recurring units, along with a hydrophobic group, which forms an ionic bond with the substrate, allowing for low-temperature drying and improved durability and adhesion inhibition without gelation, using a solvent like ethanol for easier processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-temperature heat treatment is applied to suppress elution of the coating film, then durability in aqueous media is improved, but the substrate must have high heat resistance which limits applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical bonding mechanism from thermal crosslinking (requiring high temperature) to ionic bonding (occurring at low temperature). The coating film contains both cationic and anionic groups that form ionic bonds with the substrate at low temperatures, eliminating the need for high-temperature heat treatment while maintaining durability in aqueous media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heat treatment) with an electrical field (ionic bonding). Instead of using thermal energy to crosslink the coating film, the invention uses electrostatic attraction between cationic and anionic groups to form strong ionic bonds with the substrate, enabling low-temperature processing.
2Ease of operation
If polymerization is carried out in ethanol to improve solubility, then handling properties are improved, but gelation occurs during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces hydrophobic groups at specific locations within the polymer structure. These hydrophobic groups are localized to specific regions of the polymer chain, providing solubility in organic solvents like ethanol without causing gelation throughout the entire polymer matrix. The local hydrophobic character prevents excessive intermolecular bonding while maintaining overall polymer stability.
3Reliability
If coating film is formed to inhibit biological substance adhesion, then biological compatibility is improved, but elution occurs during sterilization with ethanol
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite polymer structure containing both hydrophilic groups (for biological compatibility) and hydrophobic groups (for solvent resistance). This composite structure allows the coating film to maintain its biological inhibitory function while resisting elution during ethanol sterilization, as the hydrophobic groups provide structural stability and reduced solubility in organic solvents.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The coating film effectively inhibits biological substance adhesion, is durable in aqueous solvents, and can be applied to various substrates without gelation, enhancing handling properties and stability.
Implementation Method 1
forms an ionic bond with the substrate
Implementation Method 2
maintained to electrically neutral at the surface thereof due to electrostatic balance
Implementation Method 3
maintained to electrically neutral at the surface thereof due to electrostatic balance
Implementation Method 4
butyl methacrylate has been copolymerized is to be fixed onto the substrate by aiming physical adsorption due to hydrophobic interaction
Implementation Method 5
using a solvent like ethanol for easier processing
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a copolymer obtainable by polymerizing a monomer mixture which contains at least compounds of the following formulae (A), (B) and (C), wherein Ta, Tb, Tc, Ua1, Ua2, Ub1, Ub2 and Ub3, Qa, Qb and Qc, Ra, Rb and Rc, An− and m are as defined in Specification and Claims, and so on. The copolymer of the present invention can be utilized as an ion complex material excellent in a function of inhibiting adhesion of a biological substance.