Mechanism Underlying Bioinertness of Self-assembled Monolayers of Oligo(ethyleneglycol)-terminated Alkanethiols on Gold

摘要

When the molecule possessed more than two EG units, repulsion in the range of 4～6 nm was observed, and platelets did not adhere to the monolayers. We confirmed that the repulsion was induced by the interfacial water. In contrast, in the cases of the molecules with one or two EG units, attraction was observed between the monolayers, and platelets adhered to the monolayers. Our results clearly exhibited that water molecules in the vicinity of the blood compatible OEG-SAMs (2～3 nm) govern their blood compatibility and play the role of a protective barrier against platelet adhesion.