Polyethylene/phospholipid polymer alloy as an alternative to poly(vinylchloride)-based materials.
To develop new biomaterials for making medical devices, polymer alloys composed of a phospholipid polymer, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC), and polyethylene (PE) were prepared. The PE/PMPC alloy membrane could be obtained by a combination of solution mixing and solvent evaporation methods using xylene and n-butanol mixture as a solvent. Moreover, thermal treatment was applied to improve the mechanical properties of the PE/PMPC alloy membrane. In the PE/PMPC alloy membrane, the PMPC domains were located not only inside the membrane but also at the surface. Surface analysis of the PE/PMPC alloy membrane with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, wettability evaluation, and dynamic contact angle measurements revealed that the phospholipid polar groups in the PMPC covered the surface even after thermal treatment. Blood compatibility tests with attention to platelet adhesion and change in morphology of adhered platelets showed that the PE/PMPC alloy membrane had excellent platelet adhesion resistance. We finally concluded that the PE/PMPC alloy could be used as biomaterials instead of poly(vinyl chloride)-based materials.
Ishihara
Kazuhiko
K
Department of Materials Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan. ishihara@bmw.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Nishiuchi
Daisuke
D
Watanabe
Junji
J
Iwasaki
Yasuhiko
Y
D000497:Alloys / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry*; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness / Q000502:physiology*; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
D000497:Alloys; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008689:Methacrylates; D010743:Phospholipids; D011108:Polymers; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; C115766:poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl-phosphorylcholine); D010767:Phosphorylcholine; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D020959:Polyethylene