Synthesis, characterization and platelet adhesion of segmented polyurethanes grafted phospholipid analogous vinyl monomer on surface

New segmented polyurethanes (SPUs) grafted phospholipid analogous vinyl monomer, 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) on surface were synthesized. The soft segment of these polyurethanes was hydroxylated poly(isoprene) diol and the hard segments were 4,4′-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and 1,4-butanediol (BD). SPUs were hydroxylated by potassium peroxodisulfate and MPC was grafted on the surface of hydroxylated SPUs using di-ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate (ceric ammonium nitrate, CAN) as a radical initiator. The bulk characterization of synthesized SPUs was investigated by infrared spectroscopy (IR) and gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). The existence of phospholipid analogous groups on the surface of these SPUs was revealed by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements. The surfaces of MPC-grafted SPUs showed decreased water contact angles compared to non-grafted SPU and the presence of phosphorylcholine groups. The blood compatibilities of the new polymers were evaluated by platelet rich plasma (PRP) contact studies and viewed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using BioSpan® and non-grafted polyurethane as references. We found that fewer platelets adhered to the MPC-grafted surfaces and that they showed less shape variation than the references. These results suggest that these grafted polymers may have the possibility of the usage for biomaterials.