Hemocompatible interface control via thermal-activated bio-inspired surface PEGylation

A facile thermal-activated self-copolymerization coating of antifouling layers was designed. PEGylated poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI-PEGMA) was first synthesized, mixed with an alkaline dopamine solution, and then concurrently codeposited onto versatile substrates of both organic and inorganic materials. Thermal-activated codeposition of dopamine/PEI-PEGMA could then proceed, giving rise to good hemocompatible performance in respect to low fibrinogen adsorption, ultra-low blood cell adhesion and activation, and almost undetectable hemolytic activities. This work also revealed that the hemocompatible performance was contributed by PEGylated PEI but not dopamine, as the poly(dopamine)-coating was shown to induce a high level of fibrinogen adsorption as well as vigorous platelet activation.