Synthesis and characterisation of a mussel-inspired hydrogel film coating for biosensors

Mussel-inspired, catechol-containing monomers are being increasingly utilised to design versatile, adhesive, functional copolymers. This work reports the synthesis and detailed characterisation of a novel terpolymer comprising dopamine methacrylamide (DMA), in order produce surface coatings capable acting as biosensors for, e.g., toxins. DMA is copolymerised with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) glycidyl (GMA) using free radical polymerisation. The copolymers subsequently deposited thin film spin-coating. It demonstrated that HEMA, GMA can immobilise an IgG antibody on surface. therefore has potential be used coating biosensing devices. also presence impacts copolymer properties. In-situ ellipsometry confirm important role catechol group adhesion significant desorption was observed absence DMA.