I spent summer time on developing two parallel paths of my research. I’ve continued studies concerning characteristics of multilayer polyelectrolyte films treated with various concentration of a genipin cross-linking agent. Moreover, I’ve also been working on thermal stability issues. Why? The answer is simple. The surface functionalization of materials intended for contact with blood by polyelectrolyte coatings will be successful, only if we have got the appropriate methodology for their manufacture on a large scale. Furthermore, polyelectrolyte coatings should have a tolerance to allow cryogenic storage and subsequent long-term application at physiological temperature, without any undesirable changes in the structure. Determination of the effect of temperature on the physico-chemical properties of coatings and potential to colonization by endothelial cells should be always a first step in studies on polymer for cardiovascular implant surface modification. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate changes in structure and properties of 12 bilayer porous coatings made of poly-L-lysine (PLL) and hyaluronic acid (HA) and subjected to temperature ranging from -50°C to +50°C. Herein, I determined how the post treatment chemical cross-linking of the coating may improve its thermal stability.
This month I carried out comparative analyzes of adhesive properties of silicon discs coated with thin inorganic films (DLC, TiOx, TiCN) in radial flow chamber, using concentrates of human blood erythrocytes.