Synthesis of Photoreactive Phospholipid Polymers for Use in Versatile Surface Modification of Various Materials to Obtain Extreme Wettability

We synthesized photoreactive phospholipid polymers for use in the versatile surface modification of various materials. The photoreactive methacrylate derivative 2-methacryloyloxyethyl-4-azidobenzoate (MPAz) was synthesized. MPAz was copolymerized with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) to obtain poly(MPC-co-MPAz) (PMPAz) and with both MPC and n-butyl methacrylate (BMA) to obtain poly(MPC-co-BMA-co-MPAz) (PMBPAz). PMPAz and PMBPAz were bound to the surfaces of various materials, including polymers, glass, and metals, by exposure to ultraviolet irradiation. The azide groups in the MPAz units played a role in the surface anchoring; the polymer was bound covalently to the substrate. After the photoreaction, the surfaces were converted from hydrophobic to superhydrophilic, and their cell adhesion was effectively suppressed.