Nanospikes combined with liquid-like polymer coating deliverable microparticles to improve dispersion and biofouling resistance

A wide range of implantable microparticles has been developed for the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases. However, the risk of complications, such as inflammation, is significantly heightened by undesirable biofouling caused by biological substances, including protein adsorption, bacterial colonization, and cell adhesion. Although slippery lubricant-infused porous substrates (SLIPS) have demonstrated remarkable resistance to biofouling, concerns regarding the safety of their degradation by-products and the stability of lubricants in fluid environments limit their applicability. In this study, we present a novel ‘liquid-like’ coating polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) brush-modified implantable microparticles that exhibit enhanced stability and durability against biofouling. Our design incorporates both physical nanospikes and chemical PDMS brushes on the surface of microparticles. This modification results in an increased hydrophobicity of the particles while promoting attractive interactions between the ‘liquid-like’ coated surfaces across different microparticle types. The presence of nanospikes facilitates a specific dispersion pattern among PDMS-modified spiky microparticles (PMSMP). The ‘liquid-like’ coating demonstrates reliable biocompatibility and significantly reduces adhesion rates for proteins (1/60), bacteria (1/56), and cells (1/20), maintaining its efficacy over extended periods (>7 days). Our research introduces a groundbreaking anti-biofouling modification technology for deliverable microparticles, offering promising potential implications for developing devices or materials aimed at mitigating inflammation.