Application of hydrophilic and low-surface-energy anti-fouling membrane for ECMO

During the application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), protein adsorption on the membrane not only leads to a decline in the efficiency of gas exchange but also triggers a series of adverse effects and even blood coagulation. Herein, we provide the hydrophilic and low-surface-energy strategy to prepare a fouling-resistance and fouling-release membrane for ECMO. Polyvinylimide (PEI) was grafted with tannic acid (TA) on the PES membrane to form a hydrophilic coating, on which fluorinated small molecules with low surface energy were subsequently grafted by ring-opening reaction to form low-surface-energy domains. The hydrophilic coating resists fouling adhesion by forming hydration layers, while the low surface energy of the hydrophobic domains facilitates the release of pollutants. Moreover, the introduction of the hydrophobic domains facilitates gas-liquid exchange in the ECMO-simulated environment. After PBS rinsing, BSA and BFG removal improved by 97.81% and 227.83%, respectively. Finally, in our ECMO-simulated gas-liquid circulation detection device, the modified membrane exhibits excellent gas exchange properties (The O2 and CO2 exchange rates reach 123.37 and 168.52 mL·min-1·m-2, respectively) and is resistant to plasma leakage. This study provides a new surface modification anti-fouling strategy with simultaneous enhancement of hemocompatibility and gas exchange efficiency.