Preparations and properties of a novel grafted segmented polyurethane-bearing glucose groups

Novel grafted poryurethane-bearing glucose groups were synthesized through a graft copolymerization of a prefabricated polyurethane containing poly(bu tadiene) glycol (PBD) and hydrogenated poly(butadiene) glycol (HPBD) soft s egments, and 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) hard segment with a hydrophilic monomer glycosylethyl methacrylate (GEMA) in solution in the pr esence of 2,2'-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as an; initiator. The bulk c haracteristics of the grafted polyurethanes were investigated by infra-red (IR) spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurements. The glucose groups were oriented on the surface of the cast film of grafted po lyurethane with different graft-on percentages as:revealed by electron spec troscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), attenuated total reflectance infra-r ed spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and water contact angle. The grafted polyuretha ne surfaces which showed decreased water contact angles also indicate that hydrophilic glucose groups are present at the surface, The hemocompatibilit ies of these polymer surfaces were evaluated by platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contacting tests. It was found that the surface of grafted polyurethane wit h a graft-on percentage of 23.4% showed a good hemocompatibility in terms o f platelet adhesion and shape variation. It indicates that glucose groups o n the surface are effective for the improvement of hydrophilicity as well a s hemocompatibility.