Preparation of hydrophilic blood compatible polypropylene/pluronics F127 films

In order to improve surface hydrophilicity, blood compatibility and cell-antiadhesion of polypropylene (PP) film, polypropylene oxide (PPO)-polyethylene oxide-PPO used as macromolecular surface modifier through physical blending. Surface properties of blended PP/Pluronic F127 (PF127) samples were investigated by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy and water contact angle measurements. Results demonstrated that PF127 migrated to the surface. Thus, mechanical properties of blended PP/PF127 samples with the aim of the revealing the effects of the presence of modifier in the bulk were investigated through differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and tensile tests. The biocompatibility and hemocompatibility of modified PP films were evaluated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, platelet-rich plasma, and hemolysis tests. These results showed excellent anticell and antiplatelet adhesion which deems the prepared blended films proper biomaterials. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 652-662, 2018.