Preparation and characterization of new immunoprotecting membrane coated with amphiphilic multiblock copolymer

New immunoprotecting membranes were prepared by spin coating the amphiphilic random multiblock copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) (PTMEG) or poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) on porous Durapore® membrane. The copolymer coating was intended to make a biocompatible, immunoprotecting diffusional barrier and the supporting porous substrate was for mechanical stability and processability. By filling Durapore® membrane pores with water, the penetration of coating solution into the pores was minimized during the spin coating process. A single coating process produced a completely covered thin surface layer (∼ 1 μm in thickness) on the porous substrate membrane. The permselectivity of the coated layer was influenced by PEG block length, polymer composition, and thickness of the coating layer. A composite membrane with the coating layer prepared with PEG 2 K/PTMEG 2 K block copolymer showed that its molecular weight cut-off at day 40 based on dextran was close to the molecular size of IgG (M_w = 150 kDa). However, IgG permeation was detected from protein permeation test, while glucose oxidase (M_w = 186 kDa) was not permeable through the coated membrane.