Study on an antifouling and blood compatible poly(ethylene–vinyl acetate) material with fluorinated surface structure

Novel poly(ethylene–vinyl acetate) film with fluorinated surface structure was prepared via sequential surface reactions, which are alcoholysis reaction with sodium ethoxide and located fluorination reaction with 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-[1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy)propoxy] propionyl fluoride, respectively. The obtained novel film possesses ordered perfluoroalkyl ether surface layer proved by detailed ATR-FTIR, XPS, and contact angle measurement, which substantiates the success of this new route to get better-tailored surface meeting the biological needs. Hemocompatibility of the resultant films was evaluated by hemolysis test and platelet adhesion test. The results indicated that the poly(ethylene–vinyl acetate) film surface displayed low hemolytic activity and no platelet adhesion due to its extremely low surface tension, which results from the special micro-electric field of perfluoroalkyl ether layer. The yielded transparent film with good properties exhibits a promising application prospect in biology and medical science in view of its flexible substrate and unique biocompatible surface.