Graft copolymerization of polyethylene glycol methacrylate onto polyethylene film and its blood compatibility

Abstract

In an attempt to produce surfaces that show low levels of adsorption of protein and adhesion of platelets, different molecular weights of polyethylene glycol methacrylate (PEG-MA) were grafted onto polyethylene film by a preirradiation grafting process. The extent of grafting was found to be dependent on the storage condition of the irradiated polyethylene film, the preirradiated dose, reaction time and temperature, molecular weight of PEG-MA, and the type of solvent. The grafting yield was found to decrease rapidly with storage time for irradiated polyethylene film stored at room temperature. On the other hand, the grafting yield in the irradiated polyethylene stored at -130 degrees C remained nearly constant up to 20 days after irradiation. The grafting yield decreased with an increased PEG-MA. molecular weight. Human plasma protein was adsorbed onto control and PEG-MA-grafted polyethylene film surfaces, and the relative adsorbed amount of proteins on the surfaces was evaluated by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis. The adsorbed protein and platelet adhesion on the polyethylene film surface decreased rapidly with the grafting yield. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.