Functionalization and hemocompatibility of a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer based on its epoxidized precursor

Poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (mPEG) was introduced into a glycidyl methacrylate-modified styrenic thermoplastic elastomer graft copolymer via a ring-opening reaction with the epoxy group. The chemical compositions of the samples were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, H-1-NMR spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and water contact angle measurement were used to investigate the surface properties. The results show that the molecular weight of the mPEG monomer had a great effect on the surface properties of the modified samples. The platelet adhesion and protein adsorption of the samples modified with low-molecular-weight mPEG were reduced dramatically relative to those of the virgin styrenic thermoplastic elastomer. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.