Study on blood compatibility with poly(2‐methoxyethylacrylate)—relationship between surface structure, water structure, and platelet compatibility in 2‐methoxyethylacrylate/2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate diblock copolymer

Diblock copolymers composed of 2-methoxyethylacrylate (MEA) and 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) were firstly prepared (the composition ratio = 90/10, 79/21, 66/34, and 48/52 mol/mol) by anion living polymerization. ESCA analysis of their surface structures (dry state) revealed that PMEA segment was segregated to the top surface in all of the polymers, whereas the results of contact angle of water (wet state) showed that the surfaces were covered with PHEMA segment. In vitro platelet adhesion test showed that these polymers had the excellent compatibility with platelet compared to PHEMA homopolymer. Water structure in the hydrated copolymers was investigated by DSC and freezing bound water was observed for all the polymers like PMEA homopolymer, whereas it was not found in PHEMA homopolymer. Further investigation of water structure based on the results of DSC and EWCMS (equilibrium water content by moisture sorption) suggested that freezing bound water existed in PHEMA segment in addition to PMEA segment. We have proposed that the water plays a key role in the appearance of good blood compatibility of the copolymer, according to our previous works (Tanaka et al. Biomacromolecules 2002;3:36–41, Tanaka et al. J Biomed Mater Res A 2004;68:684–695). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006