A simple and efficient strategy for preparing anticoagulant coatings on biomedical polyurethane surfaces through a fluorinated urethane prepolymer

Developing an efficient yet uncomplicated method to achieve anticoagulant coatings on biomedical PU surfaces remains a challenge. In this research, we have proposed a very simple way to synthesize fluorinated urethane prepolymers (FPUs) that possess extended fluorocarbon side chains and terminal groups, innovatively using a new fluorinated chain extender and a fluorinated terminal capping agent. These FPUs have been utilized as additives to fabricate biomedical PU blends (BPUB). Incorporating a minimal quantity of FPUs, as little as 2.5 %, bestows BPUB with exceptional capabilities to resist protein and platelet adhesion, which can further prevent platelet activation, facilitated by the self-migrating nature of the fluorocarbon chains toward the film's upper surfaces, as substantiated by contact angle measurements and XPS. DSC and TG analysis indicate that the addition of FPUs marginally affects the thermal stability of the BPUB films, yet it reduces the glass transition temperature of the PUs. Remarkably, the BPUB films demonstrate enhanced degradation resistance to physiological solutions, exhibit excellent hemocompatibility, and maintain extremely low cytotoxicity levels. Thus, the FPUs present themselves as highly encouraging candidates for the development of anticoagulant coatings on biomedical polymers.