Poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL) triblock copolymer was covalently immobilized onto poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) surface with the precursor of photopolymerizable and biodegradable PCL-PEG-PCL diacrylates. Argon plasma technique was exploited to obtain hydrophilic PLGA surface (HPLGA). The surface properties were characterized by Water contact angle and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. PCL-PEG-PCL surface modified hydrophobic PLGA and hydrophilic PLGA results in different surface physicochernical properties. PCL-PEG-PCL modified hydrophobic PLGA surface (PLGA-PCL-PEG-PCL) demonstrates excellent inhibition of platelet adhesion and activation; while PCL-PEG-PCL modified hydrophilic PLGA surface (HPLGA-PCL-PEG-PCL) results in good cytocompatibility. The possible mechanism was discussed and the driven force was ascribed to the different assembly behavior of PCL-PEG-PCL on PLGA surface dependant on the hydrophilic/hydrophobic property of PLGA. This simple and effective surface engineering method is also suitable for the other biomatefials such as polyurethane (PU), silicon rubber and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) to obtain the enhanced biocompatibility. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.