Modification of Polysulfones by Click Chemistry: Zwitterionic Graft Complex and Their Antiprotein Fouling Property

A new nonspecific protein antifouling polysulfone (PSU) material has been elaborated by grafting zwitterionic sulfobetaine (SB) complex by the means of PSU azidation (PSU-N-3) followed by Click-Chemistry with acetylenic zwitterionic SB monomer (N,N'-diethyl-N-propargyl-N- (3-sulfopropyl) ammonium (DEPAS)). Azidation (PSU-N-3) and functionalization (PSU-g-DEPAS) PSU materials were characterized by H-1 NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Contact angle and protein adsorption on PSU-g-DEPAS and unmodified PSU membrane were studied. The results show that the chemical modification of PSU improved both the hydrophilicity and antiprotein absorption ability. This new fouling-resistance to protein material has potential for biomaterials applications. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41327.