Preparation of a novel superhydrophobic PMMA surface with nanostructure and its blood compatibility

Abstract

Superhydrophobic poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) surface with nanostructure was prepared effectively via phase separation and selective solvent method. It is proposed that the cooperation of the nanostructure of PMMA surface and the surface group reorientation leads to the superhydrophobicity of PMMA surface. The superhydrophobic PMMA surface with nanostructure was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and water contact angle (WCA) measurements. The blood compatibility of the superhydrophobic PMMA surface with nanostructure was evaluated by platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and fresh human whole blood contacting experiments using pure flat PMMA film as the control. These two experiments demonstrated that blood compatibility of the superhydrophobic PMMA surface with nanostructure is better than that of the pure flat PMMA film. The significance of this research lies in that it will greatly broaden the application range of materials that can be used as biomaterials by fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces.