Poly(Butyl Methacrylate) and Carboxymethyl Dextran Copolymers: Synthesis, Mechanical and Anti-Adhesive Properties

Anti-adhesive and low-fouling properties have a particular interest in some biomedical applications to avoid non-specific cell attachments. In this work, copolymers of carboxymethyl dextran (CMD) and poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) are successfully obtained by free radical copolymerization. The effects of CMD substitution degrees and CMD/BMA ratio on the copolymerization yields are investigated. Copolymers compositions are determined by carbon solid state nuclear magnetic resonance(13C-NMR), Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectra (ATR-FTIR) and by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). Results indicate that copolymers are composed of CMD and a majority of PBMA, and PBMA chains are 10-fold longer than CMD ones. Solubility is investigated, and films obtained, in THF/water (90:10), are characterized by X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Stress relaxation assays evidence flexible and ductile properties. Cell adhesion and proliferation studies with human endothelial cells and 3T3 fibroblasts confirm the absence of toxicity and low adhesion properties. In conclusion, these copolymers show a potential for different applications including coatings for medical devices and biomaterials for which low adhesion properties are required.