Preparation of lotus-leaf-like structured blood compatible poly(ɛ-caprolactone)-block-poly(l-lactic acid) copolymer film surfaces

Abstract Lotus-leaf-like structured poly(ɛ-caprolactone)-block-poly( l -lactic acid) copolymer (PCL-b-PLLA) films cast using the solvent–nonsolvent casting method. PCL-b-PLLA was synthesized by the well-known copolymerization process, and was confirmed by 1 H NMR analysis. The molecular weight of the synthesized PCL-b-PLLA was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The number-average (Mn), weight-average (Mw) molecular weights and polydispersity (Mw/Mn) were 3.9 × 10 4 , 5.1 × 10 4 , and 1.3, respectively. PCL-b-PLLA films were cast in vacuum conditions with various nonsolvent ratios. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) was used as solvent and ethanol was used as nonsolvent. Surface hydrophobicity was confirmed by the water contact angle. The water contact angle was increased from 90.9° ± 4.2° to 130.2° ± 3.6°. Water contact angle was found to be influenced by surface topography. The prepared film surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Changes in crystalline property were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Platelet adhesion tests of the modified PCL-b-PLLA film surfaces were evaluated by platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and whole blood. Cell adhesive behavior on the modified film surfaces was evaluated by fibroblast cell culture. The prepared lotus-leaf-like structured film surfaces exhibited reduced platelet adhesion and an increased fibroblast cell proliferation ratio.