Surface modification of poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) elastomer via UV-induced graft polymerization of N-vinyl pyrrolidone

Poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PNVP) was covalently grafted onto the surface of biomedical poly(styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene) (SEBS) elastomer via a technique of UV-induced graft polymerization combined with plasma pre-treatment. The surface graft polymerization of N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and XPS. Effect of the parameters of graft polymerization, i.e., the initiator concentration, the UV irradiation time and the monomer concentration on the grafting density was investigated. The morphology and the wettability of the PNVP-modified surfaces were characterized by AFM and DSA, respectively. Protein adsorption and platelet adhesion were obviously suppressed after PNVP was grafted onto the SEBS substrates.

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► Saturated styrenic medical elastomer was first subjected to graft polymerization.
► We examine the effect of graft parameters on the grafting density.
► Evolution of surface topography was visually described during grafting process.
► The elastomer was imparted to good blood compatibility via the grafting process.