Zwitterionic Polymers for Biomedical Applications: Antimicrobial and Antifouling Strategies toward Implantable Medical Devices and Drug Delivery.

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been a go‑to material for coating biomedical surfaces because it is biocompatible. But PEG breaks down when exposed to oxygen and heat, so it doesn’t work well for implants that need to last a long time. Researchers are now looking at zwitterionic polymers—sulfobetaine (SB), carboxybetaine (CB), and phosphorylcholine (PC)—as more stable options. These polymers have a charge‑neutral ionic structure that creates a strong water layer around them through electrostatic forces. That water layer blocks unwanted protein sticking, bacterial growth, and platelet activation. The review framework compares how zwitterionic coatings perform on blood‑contacting medical devices, biosensors, and wound dressings. It also examines how these polymers can be

built into redox‑sensitive drug‑delivery systems to improve targeting and control release in tumor environments. By laying out clear steps for surface‑modification methods and tests for blood compatibility, the framework helps researchers model the mechanical, chemical, and biological behavior of zwitterionic interfaces. This support aims to speed up the creation of next‑generation biomaterials that are highly antifouling and antimicrobial.

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