Surface modification of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene by the poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted method and its effect on the adsorption of proteins and the adhesion of blood platelets.

With the help of a silane coupling agent, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a well-biocompatable agent, was grafted onto the surface of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) by ultraviolet initiation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis proved the success of PEG grafting. Water contact angle measurement showed that the modified UHMWPE was obviously improved in surface hydrophilicity and thermogravimetric analysis result showed that its thermostability did not decline even it was pretreated by strong acids. Then, the protein adsorption of the modified UHMWPE was investigated using three model proteins including bovine serum albumin, lysozyme, and fibrinogen. Rabbit blood was used to study the platelet adhesion on the surface of modified UHMWPE. The results indicated that the quantity of protein adsorption on the modified UHMWPE grafted PEG reduced apparently for all the model proteins while there was some specific differences or exceptions among them. It was ascribed to the changed surface chemical composition, surface hydrophilicity and surface topography after modification. The adhesive ability of blood platelets on the modified surface of UHMWPE decreased after PEG grafting. Owing to the improved resistance to fibrinogen adsorption and platelet adhesion, the surface modification might endow the UHWMPE surface better anticoagulation ability according to clotting mechanism.