Synthesis and Characterization of Ultralow Fouling Poly(N‑acryloyl-glycinamide) Brushes

The rational design of biomaterials with antifouling properties still remains a challenge, although this is important for many bench-to-bedside applications for biomedical implants, drug delivery carriers, and marine coatings. Herein, we synthesized and characterized poly­(N-acryloylglycinamide) (polyNAGA) and then grafted poly­(NAGA) onto Au substrate to form polymer brushes with well-controlled film stability, wettability, and thickness using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). The NAGA monomer integrates two hydrophilic amides on the side chain to enhance surface hydration, which is thought as a critical contributor to its antifouling property. The antifouling performances of poly­(NAGA) brushes of different film thicknesses were then rigorously assessed and compared using protein adsorption assay from undiluted blood serum and plasma, cell-adhesive assay, and bacterial assay. The resulting poly­(NAGA) brushes with a film thickness of 25–35 nm exhibited excellent in vitro antifouling ability to prevent unwanted protein adsorption (