Synthesis and hemocompatibity evaluation of segmented polyurethane end-capped with both a fluorine tail and phosphatidylcholine polar headgroups

To improve the hemocompatibility of polyurethanes, an amine monomer containing a long fluorine tail and phosphatidylcholine polar headgroups, 2-amino-3-oxo-3-(2-(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,8-pentadecafluorooctan amido) ethyl amino) propyl phosphorylcholine (FASPC) was firstly synthesized and characterized. Then four kinds of fluorinated phosphatidylcholine end-capped polyurethanes with different chemical structures were prepared. The surface properties of these prepared polyurethanes were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis (XPS) and water contact angle measurements. The results indicated that the phosphatidylcholine (PC) polar headgroups along with the fluorine tail could be easily enriched on the top surfaces, and the PC groups could be highly oriented on the outmost surface when the polymer film was in contact with water for only 30 s at room temperature. The evaluation of hemocompatibity was carried out via fibrinogen adsorption and platelet adhesion. Fibrinogen adsorption (37°C for 90 min) decreased by 98% to 87% compared to that on ordinary polyurethane surfaces, and almost no platelet adhesion and activation was observed at 37°C for 2 h.