Grafting of HEMA onto dopamine coated stainless steel by 60Co-γ irradiation method

• Poly-HEMA was grafted onto the surface of SS by 60Co-γ-ray irradiation.
• Pristine SS was coated by dopamine to form a dense poly-dopamine film before radiation grafting.
• The biocompatibility and hydrophility of SS were improved after the grafting of HEMA.

A novel method for grafting of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) onto the surface of stainless steel (SS) was explored by using 60Co-γ irradiation. The surface of SS was modified by coating of dopamine before radiation grafting. The grafting reaction was performed in a simultaneous irradiation condition. The chemical structures change of the surface before and after grafting was demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. The hydrophilicity of the samples was determined by water contact angle measurement in the comparison of the stainless steel in the conditions of pristine, dopamine coated and HEMA grafted. Surface morphology of the samples was characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The corrosion resistance properties of the samples were evaluated by Tafel polarization curve. The hemocompatibility of the samples were tested by platelet adhesion assay.