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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
A new method for surface functionalization of inherently reactive polymers such as polyesters has been developed. It is based on the direct nucleophilic attack on the ester group in the polyethyleneterephtalate backbone by the acid moiety of polyacrylic acid (PAA) catalyzed by titaniumisopropoxide. The PAA grafted surfaces were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to demonstrated the presence of a thin grafted layer rendering the substrates hydrophilic. Subsequent acid group activation using N-ethyl-N'-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride allowed for in-situ collagen immobilization rendering the surfaces cell adhesive. Human smooth muscle and urothelial cells successfully seeded these surfaces, reaching confluence after 7 days.