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Abstract
To obtain protein-adsorption-resistant membrane for hemodialysis, we prepared a polymer
blend composed of polysulfone and 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer
(PSf/MPC polymer). The content of the MPC polymer in the PSf was 7 and 15 wt%. The
asymmetric porous membrane was obtained by the dry/wet membrane processing method.
The surface characterization of the PSf/MPC polymer membrane by X-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy revealed that the MPC polymer located at the surface. The mechanical
strength of the PSf/MPC polymer membrane did not change compared with that of the
PSf membrane. On the other hand, the permeability of solute below a molecular weight
(Mw) of 2.0 x 10(4) through the PSf membrane increased with the addition of the MPC
polymer, which is considered to be an effect of the hydrophilic character of the MPC
polymer. The amount of protein adsorbed on the PSf membrane from plasma was reduced
by the addition of the MPC polymer. The permeability of low-molecular-weight protein
(Mw = 1.2 x 10(4)) did not change even after the PSf/MPC polymer membrane was contacted
with plasma protein solution for 4 h, whereas it decreased dramatically in the case
of the PSf membrane. Platelet adhesion was also effectively suppressed on the PSf/MPC
polymer membrane. Based on these results, the MPC polymer could serve as a doubly
functional polymeric additive, that is, to generate a protein-adsorption-resistant
characteristic and to render the membrane hydrophilic.