Advantages of a Bound Molecule

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There are multiple types of chemical bonds that may attach molecules together or to a surface.


Van der Waals or hydrogen bonding is the most common and weakest of chemical bonds. These are commonly seen in antibiotics that are absorbed to a material surface or antibiotic bone cement. These types of bonds are easily broken and therefore have limited functional lifespan. 


Ionic bonds are represented by many drug-eluting stents or hydroxyapatite-coated surfaces.  These are of intermediate strength and are often used in anticipation of the molecule coming off the material surface.  Additionally, they are not stable in many solvents including bodily fluids.  


Covalent bonding is the strongest and most durable of all types of chemical bonds.  They are exceptionally stable on their surfaces in a variety of very harsh conditions and environments.  MST focuses on covalent bonding strategies for its multiple molecular surface modification technologies to provide long-lasting function with little to no threat of harm to the surrounding tissue or local environment.

The Covalent Advantage