A nanocomposite hybrid of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and silica (PHEMA-Si) was prepared by sol-gel process and characterized by FTIR, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and XRD techniques. The prepared hybrid was evaluated for its water sorption capacity and the adsorption of blood proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) and fibrinogen (Fgn) was carried out on the hybrid surfaces. The dynamic nature of the adsorption process was investigated and related kinetic parameters were evaluated. The effect of factors like concentrations of protein solutions, pH, and ionic strength of the adsorption medium and chemical architecture of the hybrid were investigated on the adsorption process. The prepared hybrids were also examined for in vitro blood compatibility. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.