Surface modification of polyethylene membranes using phosphorylcholine derivatives and their platelet compatibility

To fabricate a platelet‐compatible polymer, phosphorylcholine (PCe) was introduced onto the surface of polyethylene (PE) using a novel synthetic process. Acrylic acid was graft‐copolymerized on the surface of PE by UV irradiation, using both the peroxide preirradiation and the simultaneous methods. Benzophenone and Michler's ketone were used as an initiator and sensitizer in this investigation, respectively. To investigate the spacer effect on the platelet compatibility of the PE membrane surface, PCe with various spacer lengths was introduced onto the surface of PE by a series of chemical reactions. Ethylene glycol, butanediol, poly(propylene glycol), and poly(tetramethyl glycol) were used as spacers. The modifications of the PE membrane surface were analyzed by contact‐angle, ATR–FTIR, and ESCA techniques. The platelet compatibility of the PCe‐modified polymer was evaluated by the in vitro platelet adherent test. It was found that the platelet compatibility of the PE film surface was affected by the existence of various functional groups on the film surface. The length of the lipophilic spacer between PCe groups and the PE surface will affect the biomimetic properties of the membrane surface. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 2947–2954, 1999     

Thermal behavior and the determination of the polymer-polymer interaction parameter of polycarbonate and a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer blends

Summary The surface modification of low-density polyethylene(PE) by liquid phase photograft polymerization with acrylic acid(AA), acrylamide(AM) and glycidyl methacrylate(GMA) was described. The grafting of AA and AM was proved and characterized by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis(ESCA). It was found that fully hydrophilic surface can be obtained in very short irradiation time. With ESCA and attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy(ATR-IR), it can be confirmed that bifunctional monomer GMA was grafted onto the PE film surface. Through further reaction with GMA grafted film, heparin and protamine were immobilized onto the grafted film surface.     

Immobilization of poly(ethylene oxide) on poly(ethylene terephthalate) using a plasma polymerization process

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) has been covalently immobilized on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films using a radio frequency glow discharge polymer deposition process, followed by chemical coupling. Amino or hydroxyl groups were introduced onto the surface of the PET by exposing the films to allylamine and allyl alcohol plasmas. These functional groups were activated with cyanuric chloride, and then they were reacted with PEO. ESCA and water contact angle studies were used to characterize the surfaces of these films during the different stages of the reaction. The films containing the higher molecular weight PEO exhibited an increase in the ? C? O? peak of the C_ls ESCA spectrum and an increase in oxygen content on the film surfaces. Increasing the molecular weight of the PEO attached to the PET also resulted in an increased wettability of the films.     

Papain immobilization onto porous poly(λ-methyl L-glutamate) beads

Water-insoluble papain was prepared by immobilizing papain onto the surface of porous poly(λ-methyl L -glutamate) (PMLG) beads with and without spacer. The mode of the immobilization between papain and porous PMLG beads was covalent fixation. The relative activity and the stability of the immobilized papain was investigated. The retained activity of the papain covalently immobilized by the azide method was found to be excellent toward a small ester substrate, N-benzyl L -arginine ethyl ester (BAEE), compared with that of the peptide binding method. The values of the Michaelis constant K_m and the maximum reaction velocity V_m for free and immobilized papain on the PMLG beads were estimated. The apparent K_m was larger for immobilized papain than for the free enzyme, while V_m was smaller for the immobilized papain. The thermal stability of the covalently immobilized papain was higher than that of the free papain. The initial enzymatic activity of the covalently immobilized papain remained approximately unchanged with storage time, when the batch enzyme reaction was performed repeatedly, indicating the excellent durability.     

Behavior of immobilized glucose oxidase on membranes from polyacrylonitrile and copolymer of methylmethacrylate‐dichlorophenylmaleimide

Two new ultrafiltration membranes were obtained from a polymer mixture, containing 60% polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and 40% copolymer of methylmethacrylate‐dichlorophenylmaleimide (MMA‐DCPMI). Membrane 1 (MB1) contains 40% DCPMI of the copolymer, and membrane 2 (MB2) contains 15% of the copolymer. The pore size, the specific surface, the water content, the water flux, and the selectivity were determined for the two membranes. The presence of dichlorophenylmaleimide in the copolymer ensures the preparation of membranes suitable for direct covalent enzyme immobilization without further modifications. These membranes were used for immobilization of glucose oxidase (GOD). High amount of bound protein was found on each of the membranes. High relative activities of the immobilized GOD were achieved, 72% for MB1 and 68% for MB2. The properties of the immobilized enzyme (GOD) were determined: optimum pH and temperature and pH, thermal, and storage stability, and then compared with the properties of the native enzyme. The kinetic parameters of the enzyme reaction, Michaelis constant (K_m) and maximum reaction rate (V_max), were also investigated. The results obtained showed that the ultrafiltration membranes prepared from the mixture of PAN and the copolymer MMA‐DCPMI were suitable for use as carriers for the immobilization of GOD. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 4334–4340, 2006     

Immobilization of a cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) onto polyethylene film with a carboxylic acid group and production of cyclodextrins from corn starch using CGTase‐immobilized PE film

Carboxylic acid groups were introduced onto polyethylene (PE) film by radiation‐induced graft copolymerization. Subsequently, the clodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) was immobilized on the PE film with a carboxylic acid group. The activity of the immobilized CGTase on PE film was in the range of 0.40–1.04 U/cm² per min. The production of cyclodextrins (CDs) from corn starch was examined using the CGTase‐immobilized PE film. The production ratios of CDs using CGTase‐immobilized PE film was in the following order: α–CD > β–CD > γ–CD. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2451–2457, 2002     

Immobilization of invertase onto crosslinked poly(p‐chloromethylstyrene) beads

Invertase was immobilized onto poly(p‐chloromethylstyrene) (PCMS) beads that were produced by a suspension polymerization with an average size of 186 μm. The beads had a nonporous but reasonably rough surface. Because of this, a reasonably large external surface area (i.e., 14.1 m²/g) could be achieved with the proposed carrier. A two‐step functionalization protocol was followed for the covalent attachment of invertase onto the bead surface. For this purpose, a polymeric ligand that carried amine groups, polyethylenimine (PEI), was covalently attached onto the bead surface by a direct chemical reaction. Next, the free amine groups of PEI were activated by glutaraldehyde. Invertase was covalently attached onto the bead surface via the direct chemical reaction between aldehyde and amine groups. The appropriate enzyme binding conditions and the batch‐reactor performance of the immobilized enzyme system were investigated. Under optimum immobilization conditions, 19 mg of invertase was immobilized onto each gram of beads with 80% retained activity after immobilization. The effects of pH and temperature on the immobilized invertase activity were determined and compared with the free enzyme. The kinetic parameters K_M and V_M were determined with the Michealis–Menten model. K_M of immobilized invertase was 1.75 folds higher than that of the free invertase. The immobilization caused a significant improvement in the thermal stability of invertase, especially in the range of 55–65°C. No significant internal diffusion limitation was detected in the immobilized enzyme system, probably due to the surface morphology of the selected carrier. This result was confirmed by the determination of the activation energies of both free and immobilized invertases. The activity half‐life of the immobilized invertase was approximately 5 times longer than that of the free enzyme. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1268–1279, 2002     

Construction of a choline biosensor through enzyme immobilization on a poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐grafted Teflon film

An amperometric choline biosensor was constructed by immobilizing choline oxidase (ChO) on poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA)‐grafted Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE) film. Grafting was achieved by γ irradiation. PHEMA‐grafted Teflon films were activated with epichlorohydrin or glutaraldehyde to achieve covalent immobilization of enzyme onto the film. To decrease the diffusional barrier caused by the enzyme‐immobilized film, the film was stretched directly on the electrode. The PHEMA‐grafted Teflon film, therefore, had to have appropriate mechanical properties. Glucose oxidase (GOD) was used in the determination of optimum immobilization conditions, then these were applied to ChO. With GOD, the effect of activation type and film position in electrode on enzyme activity was studied and the highest catalytic activity was obtained when the enzyme was immobilized using glutaraldehyde and the film was stretched over the electrode surface. Further studies revealed that the films activated with glutaraldehyde, immobilized in 2 mg/mL ChO concentration, and stretched directly on the electrode were suitable (specific activity, 0.427 ± 0.068 U mg^?1) for use in the choline biosensor. The linear working range of this biosensor was found to be 52–348 μM, with a 40 ± 5 μM minimum detection limit. The response of the sensor, however, decreased linearly upon repeated use. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007     

Covalent immobilization of trypsin onto thermo‐sensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) microspheres with high activity and stability

Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) (P(NIPAM‐co‐AA)) microspheres with a high copolymerized AA content were fabricated using rapid membrane emulsification technique. The uniform size, good hydrophilicity, and thermo sensitivity of the microspheres were favorable for trypsin immobilization. Trypsin molecules were immobilized onto the microspheres surfaces by covalent attachment. The effects of various parameters such as immobilization pH value, enzyme concentration, concentration of buffer solution, and immobilization time on protein loading amount and enzyme activity were systematically investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the protein loading was 493 ± 20 mg g^?1 and the activity yield of immobilized trypsin was 155% ± 3%. The maximum activity (V_max) and Michaelis constant (K_m) of immobilized enzyme were found to be 0.74 μM s^?1 and 0.54 mM, respectively. The immobilized trypsin showed better thermal and storage stability than the free trypsin. The enzyme‐immobilized microspheres with high protein loading amount still can show a thermo reversible phase transition behavior. The research could provide a strategy to immobilize enzyme for application in proteomics. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43343.     

Protease immobilization onto porous chitosan beads

Water-insoluble proteases were prepared by immobilizing papain, ficin, and bromelain onto the surface of porous chitosan beads with any length of spacer by covalently fixation. The activity of the immobilized proteases was found to be still high toward small ester substrate, N-benzyl-L -arginine ethyl ester (BAEE), but rather low toward casein, a high-molecular-weight substrate. The relative activity of the immobilized proteases with spacer gave an almost constant value for the substrate hydrolysis within the surface concentration region studied. The values of the Michaelis constant K_m and the maximum reaction velocity V_m for free and immobilized proteases on the porous chitosan beads are estimated. The apparent K_m values were larger for immobilized proteases than for the free ones, while V_m values were smaller for the immobilized proteases. The pH, thermal, and storage stability of the immobilized proteases were higher than those of the free ones. The initial enzymatic activity of the immobilized protease maintained almost unchanged without any elimination and inactivation of proteases, when the batch enzyme reaction was performed repeatedly, indicating the excellent durability.     

Immobilization of glucoamylase on the plain and on the spacer arm‐attached poly(HEMA‐EGDMA) microspheres

Immobilization glucoamylase onto plain and a six‐carbon spacer arm (i.e., hexamethylene diamine, HMDA) attached poly(2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate‐ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) [poly(HEMA‐EGDMA] microspheres was studied. The microspheres were prepared by suspension polymerization and the spacer arm was attached covalently by the reaction of carbonyl groups of poly(HEMA‐EGDMA). Glucoamylase was then covalently immobilized either on the plain of microspheres via CNBr activation or on the spacer arm‐attached microspheres via CNBr activation and/or using carbodiimide (CDI) as a coupling agent. Incorporation of the spacer arm resulted an increase in the apparent activity of the immobilized enzyme with respect to enzyme immobilized on the plain of the microspheres. The activity yield of the immobilized glucoamylase on the spacer arm‐attached poly(HEMA‐EGDMA) microspheres was 63% for CDI coupling and 82% for CNBr coupling. This was 44% for the enzyme, which was immobilized on the plain of the unmodified poly(HEMA‐EGDMA) microspheres via CNBr coupling. The K_m values for the immobilized glucoamylase preparations (on the spacer arm‐attached microspheres) via CDI coupling 0.9% dextrin (w/v) and CNBr coupling 0.6% dextrin (w/v) were higher than that of the free enzyme 0.2% dextrin (w/v).The temperature profiles were broader for both immobilized preparations than that of the free enzyme. The operational inactivation rate constants (k_iop) of immobilized enzymes were found to be 1.42 × 10^?5 min^?1 for CNBr coupled and 3.23 × 10^?5 min^?1 for CDI coupled glucoamylase. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2702–2710, 2001     

Optimization of covalently coupling enzymes to polymeric membranes: EPR studies of papain

In an effort to better understand bioreactor systems, papain (EC 3.4.22.2) was covalently immobilized onto vinyl alcohol/vinyl butyral copolymer (PMB) membrane by means of glutaraldehyde (GA), 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), or 2-fluoro-1-methylpyridinium toluene-4-sulfonate (FMP). Various kinetic and performance characteristics of the immobilized papain were evaluated. It was found that the characteristics of the membranebound papain depended on the immobilization methods. The CDI- and FMP-immobilized papain bioreactors showed better storage and thermal stability than did the GA-immobilized papain bioreactor, although the apparent Michaelis constant, K_m, of the GA-immobilized papain was closer to the free enzyme than to the corresponding CDI- and FMP-immobilized enzymes. In separate experiments, a 6-carbon spacer was inserted between the membrane surface and the covalently bound enzyme. It was found that the insertion of a spacer reduced the disturbance of the enzyme systems, resulting in K_m values intermediate between the free and directly bound enzymes for all three immobilization methods. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was also used to investigate the conformational change and the active site structure of papain. It was found that the active site SH group of papain immobilized with a 6-carbon spacer had faster motion than that of directly bound enzyme, but slower motion than that of the free enzyme. With both direct-coupling and with a spacer, the SH group motion at the active site of papain by CDI and FMP immobilizations was similar, but slower than the corresponding GA immobilization. The conformational changes of the active site of papain upon immobilization with and without a spacer were in agreement with the functional properties of the enzyme. There was a good correlation between the motion of spin-labeled cysteine in the active site of papain and kinetic properties of this protease: As motion slowed, K_m increased and V_max decreased. Of the immobilization procedures used, GA immobilization with a spacer yielded kinetic and structural characteristics most similar to the free enzyme while providing increased stability and reusability relative to the latter. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Immobilization of β‐galactosidase from Escherichia coli onto modified natural silk fibers

A polymeric support based on the natural silk fibers was prepared and characterized for covalent immobilization of β‐galactosidase from Escherichia coli. The silk fibers were grafted using polyacrylonitrile in presence of benzophenone as a photo‐initiator. The grafted fibers were then activated by treatment with hydrazine hydrate followed by glyoxal cross‐linker. FTIR spectra, scanning electron microscope (SEM) in addition to the staining test derived from the Coomassie protein assay were utilized for investigation of the modification and immobilization steps. Also, the activity of both free and immobilized β‐galactosidase was evaluated as a function of the various important parameters like grafting percentage, pH, and temperature. In addition, the kinetic parameters K_m and v_max for both free and immobilized enzyme were anticipated using Michaelis–Menten equation. The results in this study indicated that the prepared modified woven silk fibers could be used effectively as a polymeric support for immobilization of β‐galactosidase. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2923–2931, 2013     

Synthesis of antibacterial polypropylene film with surface immobilized polyvinylpyrrolidone‐iodine complex

A novel antibacterial material with surface immobilized polyvinylpyrrolidone‐iodine complex was synthesized facilely by a two‐step approach. First, N‐vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) was photografted onto polymeric substrates, and subsequently the surface‐grafted polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) underwent complexation of iodine. In the UV‐induced photografting process, PVP was efficiently grafted onto the polypropylene (PP) film surface by a unique film interlayer photopolymerization (FIP) technique; the grafting yield (Y_g) could be controlled by varying the irradiation time or the monomer concentration. Further, we demonstrated that the grafted PVP chains could readily perform the complexation reaction with iodine as the homopolymer PVP does, which was characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of the modified polymer against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans was investigated. The results show that the modified PP film with surface‐immobilized PVP‐I complex has a desirable antibacterial property, with broad spectrum and high efficiency. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 2026–2031, 2005     

Preparation of glucose oxidase membrane for the application of glucose sensor by plasma activation

Plasma activation is a method that takes the advantage of low temperature plasma to immobilize the bioactive materials. An active immobilized glucose oxidase membrane was obtained via plasma-initiated polymerization of acrylic acid. The obtained immobilized enzyme is very active and stable. After 100 tests, the response error of the glucose sensor is less than 5% and its linear detecting range is 0–300 ppm. A hydrophilic PP film treated by Ar or NH₃ plasma was used for the preparation of the immobilized glucose oxidase membrane. The obtained immobilized enzyme is also very active and stable. After 180 tests, the response error of the glucose sensor is less than 4% and its linear detecting range is 0–300 ppm. Furthermore, SEM was used to study the mophology of the glucose oxidase membranes obtained via both methods. And ESCA was used to analyze the plasm-initiated polymerization products and the plasma-treated PP films so as to obtain the optimum conditions for the immobilization of bioactive materials.     

Polyether‐segmented nylon hemodialysis membrane. VII. Studies on surface structures of various poly(ethylene oxide)‐segmented nylon membranes

The relationships of the surface morphologies to the surface chemical compositions in poly(ethylene oxide)‐segmented nylon (PEO–Ny) membranes prepared by the phase‐inversion method were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), and static secondary ion mass spectrometry (SSIMS). The PEO–Ny's used were high semicrystalline PEO‐segmented polyiminosebacoyliminohexamethylene (PEO–Ny610), low semicrystalline PEO‐segmented poly(iminosebacoylimino‐m‐xylylene) (PEO–NyM10), and amorphous PEO‐ segmented poly(iminoisophthaloyliminomethylene‐1,3‐cyclohexylenemethylene) (PEO–NyBI). SEM observation showed that the surfaces of the PEO–Ny610 and PEO–NyM10 membranes were composed of crystalline spherulite and that the PEO–NyBI membrane surface had a nodular structure. ESCA analysis exhibited the enrichment of the PEO segment at the surfaces of the PEO–Ny610 and PEO–NyM10 membranes. On the other hand, the enrichment of the Ny segment was observed in the case of the PEO–NyBI membrane. SSIMS analysis revealed that the outermost surfaces of the PEO–Ny membranes except the PEO–NyBI membrane were almost covered with the PEO segment. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 77: 517–528, 2000     

Thermal characteristics of IPNs composed of poly(propylene glycol) and poly(acrylic acid)

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) were prepared by UV irradiation and characterized using fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dielectric analysis (DEA), and thermogaravimetry (TGA). The glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of these IPNs exhibited a relatively higher temperature with an increased PAAc content. The decomposition temperature of PAAc is lower than that of PPG. PAAc affects the thermal stability of IPN more than PPG. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 2570–2574, 2003     

Preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylic acid)/TiO2/carbon nanotube composite nanofibers and their photobleaching properties

The composite nanofibers of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc)/titanium(IV) oxide (TiO₂) were prepared by electrospinning for a novel photocatalytic treatment of waste water. To improve the photoelectronic properties of PVA/PAAc/TiO₂ composite nanofibers, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used as an additive. The TiO₂ and CNTs were immobilized in the PVA/PAAc hydrogels as electrospun nanofibers for an easier recovery after the wastewater treatment. The improved efficiency of pollutant dye removal was observed at pH 10 due to the pH-sensitive swelling behavior of the PVA/PAAc/TiO₂/CNTs composite nanofibers. The photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ was improved noticeably by applying electric field to the CNTs-embedded composite nanofibers.     

Lipoprotein lipase immobilization onto porous polyvinyl alcohol beads

Water-insoluble proteases were prepared by immobilizing lipoprotein lipase (LPL) onto the surface of porous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) beads by covalent fixation. The relative activity of the immobilized proteases was found to remain high toward small ester substrates, p-nitrophenyl laurate (pNPL). The relative activity of the immobilized LPL by cyanogen bromide (CNBr) method decreased gradually with the decreasing surface concentration of the immobilized LPL on the porous PVA beads. On the contrary, the immobilized LPL by hexamethylene diisocyante (HMDI) method gave an almost constant activity for the substrate hydrolysis within the surface concentration region studied and gave higher relative activity (RA) than that by the CNBr method. The Michaelis constant, K_m, and the maximum reaction velocity, V_m, were estimated for the free and the immobilized LPL. The apparent K_m was larger for the immobilized LPL than for the free one, and V_m was smaller for the immobilized LPL. The pH, thermal, and storage stabilities of the immobilized LPL were higher than those of the free ones. The initial enzymic activity of the immobilized LPL maintained almost unchanged without any leakage and inactivation of LPL when the batch enzymic reaction was performed repeatedly, indicating excellent durability of the immobilized LPL. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Simultaneous covalent immobilization of glucose oxidase and catalase onto chemically modified acrylonitrile copolymer membranes

Ultrafiltration membranes from acrylonitrile copolymer were chemically modified with different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (from 5 to 30% H₂O₂). The amount of the amide groups in the modified membranes was determined. The water flow and permeability coefficients of the initial and modified membranes were also researched. The modified membranes were used as carriers for covalent immobilization of the dual enzyme system of glucose oxidase and catalase (GOD+CAT). It was found that the best matrices for immobilization of the dual system were membranes modified with 20% H₂O₂ and the optimal activity ratio was GOD : CAT = 1 : 5. The glucose conversion efficiency with the dual enzyme system was twice as high as that of bound GOD alone. Some of the basic characteristics (optimum pH, optimum temperature, pH, temperature stability, and storage stability) of the dual enzyme system were determined and compared with characteristics of free and bound enzymes. The catalytic parameters of the enzyme reaction (K_m and V_max) were determined with GOD immobilized alone and with the dual system GOD+CAT. The higher rate observed with the dual enzyme system clearly showed the advantage and the efficiency of the immobilized system. Glucose oxidase without catalase was deactivated by H₂O₂ more rapidly than the immobilized dual GOD+CAT system. These experimental evidences can be explained by the protecting effect of catalase on glucose oxidase from inhibition by H₂O₂. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 4057–4063, 2004