Low protein-binding polymer product produced using low hlb number non-ionic surfactant

Abstract

Hydrophobic polymer surfaces whose level of protein binding is less than about 50-80 ng/cm,are achieved by: (1) applying to a hydrophobic polymer surface a coating solution composed of a solvent and a non-ionic surfactant having a HLB number of less than 5 and at least one hydrophilic element which can extend into an aqueous solution; and (2) drying the surface to remove the solvent and thereby bring the surfactant into direct contact with the hydrophobic polymer. The combination of a low HLB number and the drying step have been found to produce low binding surfaces which can withstand multiple washes with water and/or protein-containing solutions. Alternatively, the low binding surfaces can be produced by applying the non-ionic surfactant to mold surfaces which contact molten polymer and form the polymer into a desired shape, e.g., into a multi-well plate, a pipette tip, or the like. Further, the low binding surfaces may be produced by incorporating non-soluble, non-ionic surfactants having an HLB number of less than or equal to 10 into a polymer blend prior to molding the article. Molding uses shear condition that cause the surfactant to move to the surface of a polymer product formed by the molding such that a hydrophilic part of the surfactant extends from the surface to provide a surface having low binding for proteins.