Wageningen Universiteit en Researchcentrum
Mw. A.M. (Agata) Brzozowska: New coatings for reducing protein adsorption
29 jun 2010 13:30
Onderdeel: Laboratorium voor Fysische chemie en kolloïdkunde
Locatie: Aula, gebouw 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisatie: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr. M.A. Cohen Stuart (Fysische Chemie mbav de Kolloidchemie)
Promotor: Prof.dr.ir. W. Norde
Co-Promotor: Dr. A. de Keizer
We studied the application of polymeric micelles as surface coatings that can
prevent accommodation of (bio-)organic matter at surfaces (biofouling). Protein
adsorption plays an important role, in particular during the initial stage of the
fouling process. We found out that micelles formed with oppositely charged
copolymers with neutral blocks adsorb on various surfaces forming a so-called
"polymer brush" that protect the surface from protein adsorption. The composition
of the micelles can be modified to match the properties of the surface in order to
obtain the best results. We have also studied the effect of flow on the micellar
coatings and their permeability in relation to potential application in industrial
membrane systems.