Hemocompatibility of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Membrane Grafted with Network-Like and Brush-Like Antifouling Layer Controlled via Plasma-Induced Surface PEGylation

Abstract

In this work, the hemocompatibility of PEGylated poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) microporous membranes with varying grafting coverage and structures via plasma-induced surface PEGylation was studied. Network-like and brush-like PEGylated layers on PVDF membrane surfaces were achieved by low-pressure and atmospheric plasma treatment. The chemical composition, physical morphology, grafting structure, surface hydrophilicity, and hydration capability of prepared membranes were determined to illustrate the correlations between grafting qualities and hemocompatibility of PEGylated PVDF membranes in contact with human blood. Plasma protein adsorption onto different PEGylated PVDF membranes from single-protein solutions and the complex medium of 100% human plasma were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with monoclonal antibodies. Hemocompatibility of the PEGylated membranes was evaluated by the antifouling property of platelet adhesion observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the anticoagulant activity of the blood coagulant determined by testing plasma-clotting time. The control of grafting structures of PEGylated layers highly regulates the PVDF membrane to resist the adsorption of plasma proteins, the adhesion of platelets, and the coagulation of human plasma. It was found that PVDF membranes grafted with brush-like PEGylated layers presented higher hydration capability with binding water molecules than with network-like PEGylated layers to improve the hemocompatible character of plasma protein and blood platelet resistance in human blood. This work suggests that the hemocompatible nature of grafted PEGylated polymers by controlling grafting structures gives them great potential in the molecular design of antithrombogenic membranes for use in human blood.

Preparation of fouling resistant PSF flat sheet UF membrane using amphiphilic polyurethane macromolecules

“…Though, the estimation of protein adsorption on the membrane surfaces should be considered not only with respect to surface hydrophilicity but also with respect to the hydration capacity of the membranes [31]. It is reported that the formation of the bound water layer on a surface is considered crucial to repel protein and generate anti-biofouling surface 11.…”

Surface anti-biofouling control of PEGylated poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes via vapor-induced phase separation processing

“…Many previous studies have shown that an effective mean to reduce membrane fouling was first to increase the surface hydrophilicity of membranes, the hydrophilic moieties preventing nonspecific adsorption of proteins to occur by reducing the hydrophobic interactions between the proteins and the hydrophobic surface [11,40]. But especially when a porous media is considered rather than a dense membrane, surface hydrophilicity is not enough since some bio-fouling agents can still penetrate within the pores and interact with the polymer inside the porous structure.…”

“…Although the biofouling resistance of PEGylated PVDF membrane surfaces with varying grafting coverage of PEG brushes via the grafting from or grafting onto approach has been studied [10,11], the scientific insights into biofouling-resistant characteristics of PEGylated PVDF membranes prepared in one step by the polymer blending approach is still unclear. Our previous study showed that a polysulfone surface treated with PEGylated triblock poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) was highly resistant to nonspecific protein adsorption [12].…”

Hydrophilic polymers grafted surfaces: preparation, characterization, and biomedical applications. Achievements and challenges

“…[58][59][60] In addition, the antifouling properties of some polymer layers come from the mobility of polymers segments that protect the surface from adsorption of protein. It is known that the mobility of chains depends on their chemical structure and the more mobile are chains containing heteroatoms in their internal structure, like polyethers, e.g.…”