Effects of substrate and orientational property of liquid crystal domains on the blood compatibility of polymer/liquid crystal composite membranes.

A series of polymer/cholesteryl liquid crystal (LC) composite membranes were prepared. Polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride, as a substrate, were blended with cholesteryl tetraethylene glycol carbonate to form composite membranes in an electric field under normal conditions. The blood compatibility of composite materials was identified by the dynamic blood-clotting test, haemolysis ratio measurement, platelet adhesion and SEM observation. The results showed that the content of LC, the ordered extent of LC domains embedded in composite materials and the type of substrate have greater effects on the blood compatibility of polymer/LC composite materials. When the LC domains were properly oriented, polymer/LC composite membranes had an excellent haemocompatibility, fewer platelets were adhered and spread and showed little distortion on the surface of materials.