Zwitterionic Biomimetic Copolymer
Poly(MPC-co-HEMA)
Also listed as Poly(HEMA-co-MPC) | MPC monomer CAS 67881-98-5 · HEMA monomer CAS 868-77-9
A random copolymer of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The phosphorylcholine side group mimics the outer surface of a cell membrane, giving the polymer strong resistance to protein adsorption while HEMA provides hydrogel-forming, mechanically workable structure.
- Configurable MPC:HEMA ratio, custom Mw available
MPC CAS 67881-98-5
MPC — HEMA
Random copolymer, zwitterionic
Appearance: White to off-white powder
Character: Zwitterionic, hydrophilic
Key Trait: Anti-biofouling
Storage: -20 °C, dark, desiccated
ISO 9001:2015
Manufactured under certified quality management
Custom MPC Ratio
Mol% MPC content configurable to your spec
Batch-Level COA
Spectral data and free-dye content per lot
Sample to Bulk
1 g R&D vials up to multi-gram supply
MPC Monomer CAS
67881-98-5
HEMA Monomer CAS
868-77-9
Structure
Random copolymer
Key Property
Protein-resistant
Package
1g / 10g / 100g
Why phosphorylcholine resists biofouling
This is the mechanism behind every application below — worth understanding before you pick a grade.
Cell-membrane mimicry
MPC's phosphorylcholine head group is the same polar group found on the outer leaflet of natural cell membranes.
Bound hydration layer
The zwitterionic charge pair binds water tightly at the surface, forming a hydration shell that physically blocks protein contact.
Non-specific protein resistance
Unlike PEG, the zwitterionic mechanism resists a broad range of proteins and cells without relying on steric shielding alone.
HEMA provides structure
The HEMA co-monomer gives the copolymer hydrogel-forming, film-forming mechanical behavior that pure pMPC alone doesn't have.
Comparative protein-adsorption and contact-angle data are available in the technical data sheet — see Documents below.
Typical values for our standard grade. MPC:HEMA ratio and molecular weight are configurable — request a batch-specific COA for your exact build.
| Synonyms | Poly(HEMA-co-MPC) · MPC-HEMA copolymer · PC polymer · Zwitterionic hydrogel copolymer |
|---|---|
| MPC Monomer CAS | 67881-98-5 |
| HEMA Monomer CAS | 868-77-9 |
| MPC Monomer Formula | C₁₁H₂₂NO₆P, MW 295.27 g/mol |
| Copolymer Type | Random (statistical) copolymer |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |
| Character | Zwitterionic, hydrophilic, hygroscopic |
| MPC:HEMA Ratio | Configurable — common range 10–50 mol% MPC |
| Molecular Weight | Custom Mw available; specify at order |
| Solubility | Water-soluble to water-swellable, depending on ratio and Mw |
| Storage Conditions | -20 °C, sealed, protected from moisture |
| Package Sizes | 1 g, 10 g, 100 g per bottle |
Need a specific MPC mol% or a functionalized end group (e.g. -COOH, -NH2)? Talk to technical sales →
Choose your MPC:HEMA balance
Higher MPC content means stronger antifouling performance but softer, more hydrogel-like mechanical behavior.
Low MPC
~10–20 mol%
More HEMA-dominant — better mechanical strength, moderate antifouling effect. Good for structural coatings.
Balanced
~20–35 mol%
Standard grade for most surface-modification and blood-contact applications.
High MPC
~35–50 mol%
Maximum protein and cell resistance — best for strict low-fouling surfaces, softer mechanical profile.
Applications
Blood-contacting devices
Coatings for catheters, stents, and tubing that reduce protein fouling and thrombus formation.
Antifouling coatings
General-purpose surface coating for medical devices where bacterial and protein adhesion must be minimized.
Contact lens materials
HEMA-based hydrogel with MPC's cell-membrane-like surface improves wettability and comfort.
Wound dressings & hydrogels
Moisture-retentive, low-adhesion hydrogel dressings that don't stick to healing tissue.
Drug-delivery micelles
Zwitterionic surface reduces opsonization for nanoparticle and micelle-based delivery systems.
Low-attachment cell culture
Coats culture surfaces to prevent cell adhesion — used for suspension culture and cell-sheet detachment.
Biosensor surface passivation
Reduces non-specific binding background on sensor and assay surfaces for cleaner signal.
Implant surface modification
Reduces fibrous encapsulation and foreign-body response on implanted device surfaces.
Data & safety documents
Batch-specific COAs confirm MPC:HEMA ratio and molecular weight. Contact us for a particular lot number.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format · EN / ZH
Certificate of Analysis
Ratio + Mw confirmation
¹H-NMR Spectrum
Structure confirmation
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
No — as a random copolymer with a configurable monomer ratio, it doesn’t have one universal CAS Registry Number. It’s identified by catalog number, with the monomer CAS numbers (MPC 67881-98-5, HEMA 868-77-9) provided for reference.
MPC-based polymers have an extensive published track record in biocompatibility research (including hemocompatibility and cell-adhesion studies). We can share relevant literature references; formal cytotoxicity testing (e.g. ISO 10993) on your specific formulation would need to be run in your own qualification process.
It’s the same phosphorylcholine-mimetic chemistry platform (developed from Ishihara’s MPC polymer work), used broadly across biomedical coatings research — this product is supplied for research and development use.
Store at -20°C, sealed, and protected from moisture — MPC-containing polymers are hygroscopic and can absorb ambient humidity, which affects solution concentration and reproducibility.
Yes — MPC content, molecular weight, and end-group functionalization (e.g. -COOH, -NH2 for further conjugation) can be custom synthesized. Contact technical sales with your target specification.
Pure PMPC — also called a “MPC polymer” in the biomaterials literature — is highly hydrophilic and water-soluble but mechanically weak on its own. Copolymerizing with HEMA adds hydrogel-forming, film-forming structure while retaining most of MPC’s antifouling character — useful when you need a coating or hydrogel that holds its shape.
Most researchers dissolve it in water or ethanol and apply by dip-coating, spin-coating, or spray-coating onto the target surface, then air- or vacuum-dry. Optimal solvent and concentration depend on your substrate — our technical team can advise based on your application.
This depends on the MPC:HEMA ratio and final device format — gamma and EtO are generally well tolerated, while autoclave (high heat/steam) can affect hydrogel-form coatings. Share your sterilization method when requesting a quote so we can advise or test compatibility.
PEG resists protein adsorption mainly through steric shielding, and its performance can degrade with oxidation over time. The zwitterionic MPC mechanism binds a hydration layer directly at the surface, which tends to hold up better long-term and resists a broader range of proteins and cell types.
The co-monomer determines mechanical and solubility behavior: HEMA gives a hydrophilic, hydrogel-forming polymer; MMA and BMA are more hydrophobic and give tougher, more film-forming coatings suited to different substrates. Tell us your target surface and we can recommend the right co-monomer.