Multifunctionalized polyethersulfone membranes with networked submicrogels to improve antifouling property, antibacterial adhesion and blood compatibility

Intensive efforts have been employed in modifying biomedical membranes. Among them, blending is recognized as a simple method. However, the conventional blending materials commonly lead to an insufficient modification, which is mainly caused by the poor miscibility between the blending materials and the matrixes, the elution of the hydrophilic materials from the matrixes during the use and storage, and the insufficient surface enrichment of the blending materials. Aiming to solve the abovementioned disadvantages, we developed novel polyethersulfone/poly(acrylic acid-co-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) networked submicrogels (PES/P(AA-VP) NSs), which were blended with PES to enhance the antifouling properties, antibacterial adhesion and haemocompatible properties of PES membranes. As results, the PES/P(AA-VP) NSs showed good miscibility with the PES matrix, and hydrophilic submicrogels would enrich onto the membrane surface during the phase inversion process due to the surface segregation. The entanglement between the PES matrix and the networked submicrogels would effectively limit the elution of the submicrogels. In conclusion, the modified PES membranes prepared by blending with the PES/P(AA-VP) NSs might draw great attention for the application in haemodialysis fields.