A new zwitterionic surface was obtained by a novel three-step grafting procedure. The zwitterionic monomer was introduced by cerium-induced graft copolymerization in the presence of N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide (MBAA) as cross-linking agent. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the MBAA could stimulate zwitterionic monomer grafting onto themembrane surface. Surface properties were also determined by atomic force microscope (AFM) and water contact angle. The hemocompatibility of the modified PU membranes was evaluated by the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and prothrombin time (PT). The TT and APTT of PU were significantly prolonged by the zwitterion of sulfobetaine monomer grafting copolymerization. The new polyurethane membrane could have a great potential in biomedical applications. (C) 2010 Elsevier B V. All rights reserved.