Graft copolymerization of 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine to cellulose in homogeneous media using atom transfer radical polymerization for providing new hemocompatible coating materials

To develop new hemopurification systems based on cellulose membrane, we synthesized a graft copolymer of cellulose with poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (MPC) by a metal‐catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization process in homogeneous media. First, cellulose was dissolved in a DMAc/LiCl solution system, and it reacted with 2‐bromoisobutyloyl bromide to produce macroinitiator (cell‐BiB). Then, MPC was polymerized to the cellulose backbone in a homogeneous DMSO/methanol mixture solution in the presence of cell‐BiB. Characterization with FT‐IR, NMR, and GPC measurements showed that there obtained a graft copolymer of cellulose backbone and poly(MPC) side chains (cell‐PMPC) with well‐defined structure, indicating a controlled/“living” radical polymerization. The proteins adsorption studies showed that cellulose membranes modified by the as‐prepared cell‐PMPC owns good protein adsorption resistance.