Sub-micron tailoring of bi-soft segment asymmetric polyurethane membrane surfaces with enhanced hemocompatibility properties

Enhancement of membrane hemocompatibility is achieved through the control of the surface morphology. Bi-soft segment integrally skinned poly(ester urethane urea) (PEUU) membranes containing polycaprolactone (PCL) as a second soft segment are synthesized with PCL-diol ranging from 0% to 15% (w/w). Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy characterized membrane asymmetry and sub-micron roughnesses, Ra, of top dense surfaces as major assets to the development of platelet/membrane surface interactions. Here we show that the top dense surfaces of asymmetric PEUU membranes can be tailored with different morphologies when the ratio of the two soft segments PPO/PCL varies. A strong correlation between the top surface roughnesses, Ra and platelet deposition is identified. The membrane with 15% (w/w) of PCL-diol, PEUU 85, shows the smoothest top dense layer with a Ra as low as 1 nm which is 5 times below the characteristic value of the PEUU membrane with a single soft segment. The PEUU 85 asymmetric membrane displayed minimal platelet deposition and inhibition of extreme stages of platelet activation.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Synthesis of integrally skinned asymmetric polyurethane urea (PEUU) membranes. ► Surface topographies of PEUU membranes at the micron and sub-micron level. ► Average sub-micron roughness decreases monotonically from approximately 5 nm to 1 nm. ► Active layer surfaces are denser and smoother as the PCL content increases to 15%. ► Tailoring of PEUU membrane surfaces with enhanced blood compatibility.