Tailored Poly(2-oxazoline) Polymer Brushes to Control Protein Adsorption and Cell Adhesion

POx bottle‐brush brushes (BBBs) are synthesized by SIPGP of 2‐isopropenyl‐2‐oxazoline and consecutive LCROP of 2‐oxazolines on 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane‐modified silicon substrates. The side chain hydrophilicity and polarity are varied. The impact of the chemical composition and architecture of the BBB upon protein (fibronectin) adsorption and endothelial cell adhesion are investigated and prove extremely low protein adsorption and cell adhesion on BBBs with hydrophilic side chains such as poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) and poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline). The influence of the POx side chain terminal function upon adsorption and adhesion is minor but the side chain length has a significant effect on bioadsorption. Poly(2‐oxazoline) bottle‐brush brushes (POx‐BBBs) are synthesized by two‐step surface‐initiated polymerization. The protein adsorption and cell adhesion on POx‐BBB surfaces are investigated as a function of polymer side chain composition, length, and end group. On hydrophilic POx‐BBBs, extremely low protein adsorption and cell adhesion is observed.