Synthesis and blood compatibility of poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phoshorylcholine) brush

Abstract

Preparation of biocompatible polymer brush was accomplished by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) from surface-tethered α-bromoester in the presence of CuBr/bpy. Polymerization from surface occurred rapidly at room temperature in aqueous media as opposed to in alcoholic media. We found that the thickness of polymer brushes increased almost linearly with reaction time. The existence of phosphorylcholine groups on the surface bearing PMPC brushes was revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. As demonstrated by water contact angle measurements, the surfaces having PMPC brushes showed an increase in hydrophilicity. The blood compatibility of PMPC brushes was evaluated by protein adsorption and platelet adhesion. The facts that there is such a small amount of protein adsorption and the platelet adhesion is absent on PMPC brushes supported the assumption that the polymer brushes are blood-compatible independent of the thickness in the range of 10-50 A.