Biomimetic surface modification of polyurethane with phospholipids grafted carbon nanotubes

Abstract To improve blood compatibility of polyurethane (PU), phospholipids grafted carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared through zwitterion‐mediated cycloaddition reaction and amide condensation, and then were added to the PU as fillers via solution mixing to form biomimetic surface. The properties of phospholipids grafted CNTs (CNT‐PC) were investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR). The results indicated that the phospholipids were grafted onto CNTs in high efficiency, and the hydrophilicity and dispersibility of the modified CNTs were improved effectively. The structures and properties of composites containing CNT‐PC were investigated by optical microscope, XPS, and water contact angles. The results indicated that phospholipids were enriched on the surface with addition of 0.1 wt % of CNT‐PC, which significantly reduced protein adsorption and platelet adhesion. The method of carrying phospholipids on the nanofiller to modify polymers has provided a promising way of constructing biomimetic phospholipid membrane on the surface to improve blood compatibility. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 2711–2719, 2015.