Preparation of blood‐compatible hollow fibers from a polymer alloy composed of polysulfone and 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer

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Abstract
Blood‐compatible hollow fibers were successfully prepared from a polymer alloy composed of polysulfone (PSf) and the 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer. To improve the hydrophilicity, fouling‐resistance characteristics, and blood compatibility of the PSf hollow fiber in a hemodialyzer, an MPC polymer that can be blended with PSf was synthesized in order to prepare the polymer alloy (PSf/MPC polymer). The contents of the MPC polymer blended in the PSf were 7 and 15 wt%. The PSf/MPC polymer hollow fiber could be prepared by both wet and dry–wet processing methods. The hollow fiber took an asymmetric structure, that is, the hollow‐fiber membrane had a dense skin layer on the porous sponge‐like structure. The mechanical strength was higher than that of conventional PSf hollow fibers for hemodialysis. The surface characterization of the PSf/MPC polymer hollow fiber by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the MPC units were concentrated at the surface. The permeability for solutes through the PSf/MPC polymer hollow fibers was measured for 4 h. The permeabilities of both a low‐molecular‐weight compound and protein were greater than those of the PSf hollow fibers. The amount of adsorbed protein was lower on the PSf/MPC polymer hollow fiber when compared to that of the PSf hollow fiber. Moreover, platelet adhesion was also effectively inhibited on the PSf/MPC polymer hollow fiber. Based on these results, the addition of the MPC polymer to the PSf is a very useful method to improve the functions and blood compatibility of the hollow fiber. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 63: 333–341, 2002