Design of conformal, substrate-independent surface modification for controlled proteinadsorption by chemical vapor deposition (CVD)

Abstract

Biofouling is a crucial consideration in a variety of applications including biosensors, biomedical implants and devices, food packaging, and industrial and marine equipment. On the other hand, the controlled adsorption of proteins is desired in certain fields such as bioassays and tissue engineering. As such, significant progress has been made in fabricating surface chemistries that are able to resist or regulate protein adsorption through the manipulation of the protein–water–surface interactions. However, a conformal, substrate-independent surface modification method is required in order to extend such chemistries to a wider range of applications including delicate substrates, nanostructured surfaces, and polymer nanotubes. Here, we review the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of coatings to control protein adsorption. These CVD coatings can be classified into four categories: hydrophilic coatings or hydrogels, which resist protein adsorption through surface hydration; fluorinated coatings, which have especially been studied in the context of fouling release in marine environments; amphiphilic coatings involving a unique antifouling mechanism; and switchable or stimuli-responsive coatings. Many of the techniques in each group are compatible with the synthesis of surface or free-standing nanostructures, and can be easily integrated into the existing fabrication infrastructure.