Uniform polydimethylsiloxane beads coated with polydopamine and their potential biomedical applications

• Uniform poly(dimethylsiloxane) beads were prepared using a simple fluidic device and modified with polydopamine to improve the cell attachment.
• The polydopamine layer at the surface of the poly(dimethylsiloxane) beads provided a favorable environment for cell culture.
• The polydopamine-modified PDMS beads can potentially be employed as filler materials for tissue engineering.

Based on oil-in-water emulsion, uniform poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) beads were prepared using a simple fluidic device and then modified with polydopamine (PDA) to improve cell attachment. The size of the PDMS beads could be easily tuned by changing the flow rates of the discontinuous and continuous phases, and PDMS concentration in oil phase. The PDA-coated PDMS beads exhibited a dark and rough surface, whereas the pristine PDMS beads had a clear and smooth surface. The PDA layer at the surface of the PDMS beads was found to provide a favorable environment for cell culture due to its hydrophilic property. The PDA-coated PDMS beads can potentially be employed as filler materials for tissue engineering.

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