In a nutshell

The AziGrip4™ coating platform is a robust and versatile way to functionalize surfaces with polymers. AziGrip4™ reactive compounds act as a molecular glue between different polymers and/or other materials, such as metals and ceramics.

Coating description

Multifunctional, 2-step coating platform

Substrate examples

Glass, quartz, silicon wafers, polyolefins (COC and COP), (plasma-activated) polymers, metal oxides (Al2O3, Ta2O5, ITO, TiO2, ZrO2, Fe2O3), silicone rubber, natural latex

Immobilization mechanism

  • Electrostatic adsorption followed by a UVC or temperature-induced, cross-linking reaction
  • Covalent immobilization on polymeric substrates

Applications

Life sciences

  • Functionalization of sensing-device chips for diagnostics and bio-analytics
  • Reactive coatings for coupling applications in proteomics and genomics
  • Preparation of high-contrast slides for fluorescence measurements
  • Patterning of bio-chips
  • Optimization of the wetting behavior of microfluidic devices

Medical technologies

  • Lubricious coatings for medical tools and implants
  • Anti-bacterial, cell-resistant treatment of medical devices
  • Improved tissue integration with bioactive coatings, using peptides or growth factors
  • Surfaces with selective biological response to different cell types

Adhesives

  • Adhesion promoters and primers

Other technical applications

  • Anti-fog coatings
  • Non-fouling, anti-bacterial coatings
  • Easy-to-clean surfaces

How it works!

AziGrip4™ technology is based on azide groups that can be activated by UV-light or temperature. Once activated, highly reactive nitrenes are generated. These are capable of undergoing C-H and/or N-H insertion reactions with neighbouring molecules, generating new chemical bonds.

The main advantage of this approach is that the “to-be-bound” polymers do not require special functionalization.

A simple coating process!

The coating procedure is very simple: the surface can be rapidly functionalized by dipping, brushing, spraying or rolling. It is a two-step procedure, involving, firstly, functionalization with AziGrip4™ adhesion promoter and, subsequently, deposition of the functional polymer. A few seconds of UV illumination are then required for activation.