Surface characteristics and blood compatibility of PVDF/PMMA membranes

Abstract

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) membranes have important applications as biomaterials. In this study, PVDF/PMMA with varying ratios is blown into membranes, the surface property and blood compatibility of which are thoroughly investigated. Membrane surface characteristics including composition and topography exert considerable influence on the blood compatibility. Introduction of PMMA disturbs PVDF crystallization, however, favors the b phase crystal formation. PVDF content, crystallization ability, and surface enrichment have decisive effects on the membrane surface composition. Meanwhile, with increased PMMA fraction, the membrane surface roughness is also increased, and subsequently results in decreased hemocompatibility. While the membranes with PMMA content lower than 30 wt% show good blood compatibility, those with higher PMMA fraction exhibit obvious platelet adhesion to the surface. Thermal annealing promotes the formation of b phase PVDF and generates much smoother surface, thus endowing the membranes with greatly enhanced blood compatibility. These results show the prospect for optimization of processability, surface property, and blood compatibility of PVDF/PMMA membranes through facile modulation of PMMA content and fabrication process.

Stable antifouling coatings by hydrogen-bonding interaction between poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)-block-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) and poly(acrylic acid)

“…Combining the results of water contact angle and AFM, the surface hydrophilicity and roughness are introduced as the two main parameters responsible for surface resistance against fouling, which is in accordance with previous studies [40,41]. The water binding capacity of the PMOXA-b-P4VP/PAA coatings will increase with higher hydrophilicity, and the thicker hydration layer will prevent more proteins to contact to the surface [39,42]. Simultaneously, surface roughness can affect the hydrodynamic performance of antifouling coatings and influence the settlement behavior of proteins [41,43].…”

Preparation and Characterization of TiO2-PVDF/PMMA Blend Membranes Using an Alternative Non-Toxic Solvent for UF/MF and Photocatalytic Application

“…The produced blend membranes exhibited improved hydrophilicity and water permeation fluxes with respect to pure PMMA membranes [ 44 ]. The blend of PVDF with PMMA was investigated by several authors due to the possibility to combine the benefits of both polymers (improving mechanical resistance, processability, and ionic conductivity) [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. However, a systematic study aiming to evaluate the effect of preparation parameters (such as evaporation time, polymer concentration and presence of pore formers) is still missing.…”

A Review of Commercial Developments and Recent Laboratory Research of Dialyzers and Membranes for Hemodialysis Application

“…The researchers found that the THS of the steam-sterilized PSF membrane (Helixone ® , Fresenius) was 19.6, i.e., much lower compared to that of the gamma-sterilized PSf membrane from Toraysulfone, which is 32. The lower the THS the better the hemocompatibility degree and vice versa [121]. It must be noted that the factors that affect the hemocompatibility pattern of a dialyzer, such as potting material, sterilization technique and membrane geometry, could also influence the hemocompatibility profiles of the dialyzer [120].…”