One‐pot synthesized poly(vinyl pyrrolidone‐co‐methyl methacrylate‐co‐acrylic acid) blended with poly(ether sulfone) to prepare blood‐compatible membranes

Abstract

In this study, a random copolymer of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone-co-methyl methacrylate-co-acrylic acid) was synthesized via a one-pot reaction with the reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer method and was then blended with poly(ether sulfone) (PES) to prepare flat-sheet membranes that were expected to have anticoagulant and antifouling properties. The synthesized copolymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weights and molecular weight distributions were determined by gel permeation chromatography. Elemental analysis was used to calculate the molar ratios of vinyl pyrrolidone (VP), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and acrylic acid (AA) in the copolymer. A liquid-liquid phase-inversion technique was used to prepare the copolymer-blended PES membranes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance-FTIR spectroscopy were used to investigate the copolymer on the membrane surfaces. Compared with the pristine PES membrane, the modified PES membranes showed improved hydrophilicity, low hemolysis ratios, decreased protein adsorption, and suppressed platelet adhesion. Furthermore, the thrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time indicated that the blood compatibility of the modified PES membranes were improved. The results of the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the cell morphology suggested that the cytocompatibility increased. In addition, the modified membranes showed good protein antifouling properties.

Anticoagulant Macromolecules

“…In order to improve the blood compatibility of PES-based dialysis membranes, a series of anticoagulant macromolecules were synthesized by RAFT polymerization and then grafted, modified, or blended with PES. The PES membrane modified by anticoagulant macromolecules exhibits better blood compatibility compared to its unmodified counterpart, and it has great application potential in hemodialysis, bioartificial liver, and other blood-contacting uses (Figure a). − It is also possible to prepare anticoagulant macromolecules with splendid performance by combining surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) and RAFT active polymerization methods, and use them in the field of PES-based dialysis membranes (Figure b) . These novel, simple, reliable, and effective methods enable the preparation of blood compatible dialysis membranes that can be used in blood purification with massive production capability.…”

Copolymerization of Tris(methoxyethoxy)vinyl Silane with N-Vinyl Pyrrolidone: Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity Relationships

“…In fact, vinyl silane monomers have been successfully copolymerized with styrene, butyl acrylate methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate, acrylonitrile, 2-vinyl pyridine, vinyl sulfonate esters, and other monomers [10][11][12][13][14]. N-Vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) and its copolymers are attracting much attention and have been widely investigated for applications in different field due to its low toxicity, biocompatibility, and good film form [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. The amide group in NVP is highly polar, which confirms that it is hydrophilic.…”