Atomic force microscope and surface plasmon resonance investigation of polymer blends of poly([2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] phosphorylcholine-co-lauryl methacrylate) and poly(lauryl methacrylate)

To rationally design new synthetic polymers for use in vivo, it is necessary to characterize the surface of the material to understand the interactions that occur when exposed to biological environments. Incorporation of phosphorylcholine (PC) into polymers has been shown to improve biocompatibility by suppressing unfavorable responses which occur on contact with body fluids. Here, polymer blends of [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] phosphorylcholine-co-lauryl methacrylate (MPC-co-LMA(1:6 mole ratio)) and poly(lauryl methacrylate) (PLMA) have been produced with varying ratios of the two components. The surface of the blends when coated onto silver has been characterized using tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Analysis has revealed that the blends formed by the two polymers are immiscible and exhibit surface segregation with nanometer-sized domains being formed throughout the range of the mixtures. The MPC-co-LMA is preferentially expressed at the surface of the blends leading to enhanced protein-resistant properties.