Toward a highly hemocompatible membrane for blood purification via a physical blend of miscible comb-like amphiphilic copolymers

Abstract

Comb-like amphiphilic copolymers (CLACs) consisting of functional chains of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and polyethersulfone-based hydrophobic chains were firstly synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The CLAC can be used as an additive to blend with polyethersulfone (PES) at any ratio due to the excellent miscibility, and then a surface segregation layer with permanent hydrophilicity could be obtained. The surfaces of the CLAC modified PES membranes were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis, Fourier transform infrared and water contact angle measurements. The surfaces are self-assembled with numerous functional branch-like –PVP chains, which can improve the hemocompatibility. The root-like –PES chains (the hydrophobic part) are embedded in the membranes firmly, which greatly reduces the elution during the membrane preparation procedure and repeated usage, and makes the membranes have a permanent stability. The PES-based hydrophobic chains have the same structure as the membrane bulk material, which makes the miscibility of the additive and the membrane material good to ensure the intrinsic properties of the membrane. The modified membranes showed suppressed platelet adhesion and prolonged blood coagulation time (activated partial thromboplastin time, APTT); thus, the blood compatibility of the membranes was highly improved. The strategy may be extended to synthesize other PES-based functional copolymers and to prepare a modified PES dialysis membrane for blood purification.