NDA-(EG) 2 -OCH 3 synthesis: The ligand was synthesized in three steps according to Deblock et al. 1.028 mmol, 3.4 eq) of N-methylmorpholine was added dropwise to the mixture using an air-free technique. The mixture was left on stirring for 72 h at room temperature. For purification, the solvent was removed under the reduced pressure. The remaining dark brown liquid was dissolved in 3 mL of deionized water and 2 mL of 1M HCl was added to adjust the pH to 1. The product was extracted three times with 5 mL of chloroform. The organic phase was collected, dried under reduced pressure, and dissolved in MQ water. Finally, after freeze-drying a fluffy yellow product was obtained with a yield of 55%. (Sulfobetaine-azide) phosphonic acid copolymer: The synthesis of the methacrylate-PEG-N 3 monomer and the (sulfobetaine-azide)-phosphonic acid block copolymer was carried out as previously reported in and 57 respectively with the exception that only 2 eq of azide monomer was used for the synthesis of the sulfobetaine-azide polymer block. The monomer was isolated with a yield of 20% and the final polymer was obtained with an overall yield of 38%.