Formation of Zirconium(IV)-Heparin Complex Multilayers on Solid Surfaces for Long-Lasting Antiplatelet Application

A facile approach to enhancing the blood compatibility of solid surfaces based on Zr^IV -heparin complexation is reported. Solid surfaces are pretreated with tannic acid (TA)/Zr^IV complexes. Heparin is then deposited on the surface through a spin-coating process and fixed by a Zr^IV -mediated crosslinking reaction. Using this approach, TA/Zr^IV /heparin complex multilayers that are highly resistant to human platelet adhesion are formed on various substrates including metal, metal oxides, ceramics, and synthetic polymers. This approach presents a sustainable way for the immobilization of heparin onto surfaces because it does not require any derivatization of heparin molecule as well as time-consuming processes.