Surface modification of polypyrrole films via grafting of poly(ethylene glycol) for improved biocompatibility

Modification of polypyrrole (PPY) films in the salt and deprotonated forms was carried out via UV-induced surface graft copolymerization with methoxy- poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate (PEGMA) macromonomer. Contact angle and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were used to charac terize the surface-modified PPY films. The biocompatibility of the PEGMA po lymer-modified films was compared to that of the pristine films based on th eir ability to reduce protein adsorption, platelet adhesion and blood coagu lation (antithrombogenicity property). The studies performed showed that th e graft-modified films exhibited excellent biocompatibility based on all th ree criteria.