Radiation Grafting of Chloromethylstyrene on Polyethylene, Followed by Quaternization and Heparinization

Abstract

Several investigators have indicated an interest in binding heparin to polymers, because of the generally enhanced thrombo-resistance of such materials. This report describes such a technique for polyethylene (PE) film which involves radiation-induced grafting of chloromethylstyrene (CMS) on PE, followed by quaternization with pyridine, then reaction with sodium heparin to replace chloride ions in the film with heparin anions. Extraction of the heparinized final product with benzene, water, and 1.0 M aqueous sodium chloride solution produced no detectable removal of the heparin from the film samples. A plot of amount CMS grafted on PE film versus time was curved in shape rather than linear, showing an increase in grafting rate as the length of the run increased.