Modification of PEDOT:PSS Surface by RGD Peptide

Abstract

In this paper, a novel technique for modification of PEDOT:PSS surface by the arginine-glycine-aspartic (RGD) acid, using a bifunctional photolinker sulfosuccinimidyl 6-(4’-azido-2’-nitrophenylamino) hexanoate (sulfo-SANPAH), is presented. The technique is based on the UV light initialized immobilization of the photolinker to the surface of the polymer and subsequent link of the RGD peptide to the photolinker via coupling reaction. The aim of this modification is the improvement of the biocompatibility and hydrophilicity of the polymer PEDOT:PSS. To confirm if the process of conjugation of RGD peptide to the surface of the polymer PEDOT:PSS was successful, the contact angle measurement, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and elemental analysis was performed. All of the obtained results indicate the conjugation of RGD peptide to the PEDOT:PSS surface was successful.