Improving the surface biocompatibility with the use of mixed zwitterionic self-assembled monolayers prepared by a proper solvent

In this study, the mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) containing the mixture of long-chain alkanethiol, SH(CH₂)₁₁NH₂ and SH(CH₂)₁₀SO₃H, was prepared as a model surface to examine the interaction between the biological environment and artificial surface. The 10% (v/v) NH₄OH ethanolic solution and DMSO were chosen as the solvents for the preparation of these mixed SAMs and the "solvent effect" was discussed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has indicated that -SO₃H/-NH₂ mixed SAMs formed from 10% (v/v) NH₄OH ethanolic solution were surface "-SO₃H poor", while a nearly equivalent amount of surface -SO₃H functionality was presented on the mixed SAMs formed from DMSO. This has resulted from the different solvation capability between solvent molecules and the alkanethiol. Such solvent effects were also reflected in various surface properties such as surface wettability and surface zeta potential. The mixed SAMs formed from DMSO were more surface hydrophilic and less negatively surface charged than from 10% (v/v) NH₄OH ethanolic solution. In addition, these mixed SAMs formed from DMSO exhibited the least amount of protein adsorbed as well as a better platelet compatibility than its counterpart from 10% (v/v) NH₄OH ethanolic solution. These findings indicated that choosing a proper solvent for mixed zwitterionic SAM can greatly affect its surface properties and biocompatibility, such as to form a surface with near neutrality for reducing protein adsorption and subsequent platelet adhesion and activation.