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.