Biodegradation of polyurethanes and nanocomposites to non-cytotoxic degradation products

Polyurethanes with controllable biodegradable properties have been considered for biomedical applications. However, the potential toxicity of their biodegraded by-products is still a concern. In this study, biodegradable polyurethanes based on poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) and/or poly(ethylene glycol) as soft segments and biodegradable polyurethanes containing montmorillonite nanoparticles were synthesized and were subjected to in vitro biodegradation for 4 months. The post-degraded polyurethanes and nanocomposites were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The toxicity of the biodegradation by-products was evaluated by measuring their effect on the viability of retinal cells. FTIR results indicated that hard segments of the biomaterials were preserved during biodegradation, and suggested that the ester bonds of the PCL incorporated into the soft segments were hydrolytic broken. XRD data indicated also that the soft segments crystallized as a result of the hydrolysis of PCL ester bonds and re-organization of the amorphous phase during annealing at 37 °C. As the biodegradation of the biomaterials induced the formation of soft segment lamella crystals, a complex nanostructure was formed, resulting in the enhancement of the small angle X-ray scattering. The by-products were non-cytotoxic to the retinal cells. These results suggest that the hydrolytic unstable polyurethanes and nanocomposites can be possible candidates for ophthalmological applications.     

Segmented polyurethanes derived from novel siloxane–carbonate soft segments for biomedical applications

A novel macrodiol based on mixed silicone and carbonate chemistries was synthesized and used as a soft segment precursor in the synthesis of two series of segmented polyurethane (PU) copolymers varying in hard segment content and soft segment molecular weight. The hard segments in these copolymers were derived from 4,4‐methylene diphenyl diisocyanate and 1,4‐butane diol. The phase transitions, microphase separation behavior, and mechanical properties of the copolymers were investigated using a variety of experimental methods. When compared with segmented PU copolymers having predominately poly(dimethyl siloxane) soft segments, these siloxane–carbonate soft segment copolymers exhibit enhanced intersegment mixing, and consequently relatively low mechanical modulus. With relatively low modulus and siloxane units in the soft phase, the siloxane–carbonate PUs have potential for use in cardiac and orthopedic biomedical applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

对苯二异氰酸酯基聚氨酯弹性体交联度对其形态与摩擦性能的影响

聚氨酯弹性体的摩擦性能在诸如船舶、汽车、生物医用等领域具有十分重要的意义,而通过化学修饰策略实现该类材料摩擦性能的精细设计,仍具有十分迫切的研究需求和广泛的应用前景。 本工作以对苯二异氰酸酯(PPDI)与聚四氢呋喃醚二醇(PTMG)为原料,通过调节1,4-丁二醇与三羟甲基丙烷两种扩链交联剂的混合比例,采用预聚体法合成了具备不同交联度的PPDI基聚氨酯弹性体。 其中,傅里叶变换衰减全反射光谱(FTIR-ATR)、广角X射线衍射(WAXD)、差示扫描量热仪(DSC)等表征结果表明,聚氨酯弹性体中硬段和软段的结晶度随交联度的提升均呈下降趋势。 同时,力学测试表明,材料的弹性模量随之降低,而PPDI基聚氨酯弹性体摩擦系数则明显增大。 此外,滞后回环曲线表明,交联度的改变影响了PPDI基聚氨酯弹性体的阻尼特性,而聚氨酯弹性体阻尼的差异在其摩擦性能对速率的依赖关系中则有所体现。 本工作由此提出,利用不同交联度下PPDI基聚氨酯中软硬段结晶度的变化,在对材料弹性模量和损耗模量进行可控调节的同时,能够实现对其摩擦性能的改变,为PPDI基聚氨酯弹性体的摩擦性能调控提供了一种简单有效的途径。     

聚氨酯硬链段球晶生长与软硬链锻混容性的关系

线型可溶性聚氨酯的硬链段结晶难以长成球晶 ,然而本实验室已经证明即使从熔体结晶硬链段也是能够长成球晶的 .研究了聚酯与聚醚型聚氨酯硬链段长球晶的规律 ,并发现聚氨酯硬链段长球晶的难易与聚氨酯软硬链段混容性密切相关 .动态力学分析 (DMA)与示差扫描量热 (DSC)实验表明聚ε 已内酯 (PCL)、聚已二酸丁二醇酯 (PTMA)、聚四氢呋喃 (PTMO)及聚环氧丙烷 (PPO)型聚氨酯的软硬链段混容性从前至后递减 .从熔体退火结晶时 ,聚氨酯硬链段长成球晶的退火温度范围是有限的 ,软硬链段混容性越好 ,聚氨酯硬链段能长成球晶的温度范围越窄 ,所需长的时间越长 .聚氨酯硬链段长球晶的下限温度取决于软硬链段间所存在的氢键作用 ,聚氨酯硬链段长球晶的上限温度与软硬链段混容性直接相关 .     

Self‐Healing Polyester Urethane Supramolecular Elastomers Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals for Biomedical Applications

Stretchable self‐healing urethane‐based biomaterials have always been crucial for biomedical applications; however, the strength is the main constraint of utilization of these healable materials. Here, a series of novel, healable, elastomeric, supramolecular polyester urethane nanocomposites of poly(1,8‐octanediol citrate) and hexamethylene diisocyanate reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are introduced. Nanocomposites with various amounts of CNCs from 10 to 50 wt% are prepared using solvent casting technique followed by the evaluation of their microstructural features, mechanical properties, healability, and biocompatibility. The synthesized nanocomposites indicate significantly higher tensile modulus (approximately 36–500‐fold) in comparison to the supramolecular polymer alone. Upon exposure to heat, the materials can reheal, but nevertheless when the amount of CNC is greater than 10 wt%, the self‐healing ability of nanocomposites is deteriorated. These materials are capable of rebonding ruptured parts and fully restoring their mechanical properties. In vitro cytotoxicity test of the nanocomposites using human dermal fibroblasts confirms their good cytocompatibility. The optimized structure, self‐healing attributes, and noncytotoxicity make these nanocomposites highly promising for tissue engineering and other biomedical applications.     

Mechanical mapping and morphology across the length scales unveil structure–property relationships in polycaprolactone based polyurethanes

Segmented polyurethane elastomers for biomedical applications were synthesized and studied at macroscopic (by mechanical testing) and meso/nanoscopic length scales (by atomic force microscopy, AFM). The polyurethanes are composed of 4,4'‐methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate), 1,4‐butanediol and an ε‐polycaprolactone diol. The stoichiometric ratio of the isocyanate and hydroxyl groups is constant, but the polymer diol to total diol—varies from 0 to 100 %. We show the representative features of the morphology from phase separation to mixed phases, how this is related to the mechanical properties in the bulk and locally, at exposed free surfaces and at the nanoscale. We propose a morphological model considering the molecular structure, the length of hard segments, and the dimensions of both the soft and the hard phases, respectively. Understanding such structure–property relations is pivotal to establishing designer materials and controlling the performance of the final product to achieve optimal properties in polyurethane based medical devices. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 2298–2310.     

聚乙二醇型聚氨酯软硬段对其相变储热性能的影响

以不同分子量的聚乙二醇(PEG)为软段,MDI-BDO为硬段,采用两步法溶液聚合合成一种具有固-固相变储热性能的聚氨酯材料.通过DSC,WAXD等测试手段对体系的软硬段结晶性,微相分离,相变可逆性及循环热稳定性进行研究,结果表明,聚氨酯中硬段的存在对软段结晶有着很大的影响,当软段分子量达到2000或以上时,软段才具有较大的结晶度和熔融相变焓,且硬段含量必须高于一定值才能形成较为完善的物理交联网络以保证材料在发生相变时维持固体状态.同时符合这两个条件的试样能具有较好的固-固相变储热性能.就软段PEG含量及分子量对材料储热性能的影响进行了研究,通过调节软段含量与分子量得到一系列具有不同相变焓和相变温度的聚氨酯固-固相变储热材料.经测试还发现,该材料具备很好的相变可逆性和循环热稳定性,是一类很有开发前景的相变储热材料.     

Effect of segmented poly(ester-siloxane)urethanes compositional parameters on differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic-mechanical measurements

Segmented poly(ester-siloxane)urethanes containing hard and soft segments were prepared by melt polyaddition using a multistep procedure. The soft segments based on poly(ethylene glycol adipate)diol as ester sequences and α,ω-poly(dimethylsiloxane)diol as silicone sequences were synthesized. The hard segments were based on aromatic or aliphatic diisocyanates and butanediol was used as chain extender. These polyurethane materials were analysed by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic-mechanical analysis measurements. The shapes of thermal plots are significantly influenced by the soft and hard segment structures and also the compositional parameters.     

Recent Advances in Polyurethane/POSS Hybrids for Biomedical Applications

Advanced organic-inorganic materials-composites, nanocomposites, and hybrids with various compositions offer unique properties required for biomedical applications. One of the most promising inorganic (nano)additives are polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS); their biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and phase separation ability that modifies the material porosity are fundamental properties required in modern biomedical applications. When incorporated, chemically or physically, into polyurethane matrices, they substantially change polymer properties, including mechanical properties, surface characteristics, and bioactivity. Hence, this review is dedicated to POSS-PU composites that have recently been developed for applications in the biomedical field. First, different modes of POSS incorporation into PU structure have been presented, then recent developments of PU/POSS hybrids as bio-active composites for scaffolds, cardiovascular stents, valves, and membranes, as well as in bio-imaging and cancer treatment, have been described. Finally, characterization and methods of modification routes of polyurethane-based materials with silsesquioxanes were presented.     

Novel polycarbonate-based polyurethane elastomers: Composition–property relationship

Novel all-aliphatic polycarbonate-based polyurethane (PC-PU) elastomers, as well as PC-PU nanocomposites filled with organic-modified clays were synthesized, characterized and studied. It was found that they have very attractive mechanical properties (e.g., elongation at break between 600% and 800%). The prepared PC-PUs possess a distinctly segmented structure, which is the key prerequisite for their behavior as strong physical rubbery networks. All synthesized materials melt at elevated temperatures (between 110 and 200 °C) and hence can be processed like normal thermoplastics. The dispersion of the clay nanofiller was achieved by its one day swelling in the alcohol and a brief successive stirring. This procedure is very successful and leads to a partial exfoliation of the clay (documented by X-ray diffraction and TEM). The best nanocomposites with very good tensile properties, particularly with significantly increased moduli were obtained using the bentonite nanofiller. The study shows that the nanofiller interacts strongly with the hard domains and influences their melting temperature (DMTA and DSC), but it does not affect the glass transition temperature of soft domains. While Cloisite 15A was found to interact preferentially with the hard domains, the organic modified bentonite shows a strong interaction with both soft and hard segments, behaving as a blending agent. Hard domains in neat matrices, formed by hydrogen bonding of hard segments, were practically invisible by X-ray or TEM, but were successfully detected by AFM. Besides excellent mechanical properties, the prepared elastomers and their nanocomposites showed an interesting phase behavior (which was studied by combining DMTA and modulated DSC).     

Control of hard segment size in polyurethane formation

In general, segmented polyurethane elastomers are prepared by reacting an isocyanate-capped polyol prepolymer with a short-chain diol chain extender, yielding an elastomer with hard segments of uniform size. However, the hard segment size will not be uniform if the polyurethane polymer is prepared by forming the hard segment first, followed by soft segment formation. Because the mechanical properties of polyurethane elastomers depend on the relative ratio of the hard to soft segments as well as the effectiveness of the hard segment as a physical crosslinker, the control of the size distribution of the hard segment is a key factor in designing polyurethane elastomers. It was found that reaction conditions can affect the size distribution of hard segments derived from an aliphatic diisocyanate with differential reactivity between the two isocyanate groups. Lower reaction temperatures and simultaneous mixing of all reactants gave the preferred size distribution of hard segments. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation and characterization of waterborne polyurethane/attapulgite nanocomposites

In this paper, waterbrone polyurethane (WPU)/attapulgite (AT) nanocomposites have been prepared by direct emulsion blending. The WPU was synthesized from poly(tetramethylene glycol), 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, dimethylol butanic acid, and neutralized by triethylamine. SEM examination of fractured surfaces showed that AT particles were irregularly dispersed in the WPU matrix. FTIR analysis suggested no major chemical structural changed in the presence of a small amount of AT. DMA results showed that the storage modulus of WPU/AT nanocomposites was increased and the glass transition temperatures of both soft and hard segments shifted to higher temperature compared to the pristine WPU. Thermal resistance of the samples measured by TGA was improved with the addition of AT. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposites, examined by tensile tests, showed higher tensile strength and elongation at break than that of the pristine WPU.     

Mechanical and shape‐memory properties of poly(mannitol sebacate)/cellulose nanocrystal nanocomposites

Polyesters based on polyols and sebacic acid, known as poly(polyol sebacate)s (PPS), are attracting considerable attention, as their properties are potentially useful in the context of soft‐tissue engineering applications. To overcome the drawback that PPSs generally display rather low strength and stiffness, we have pursued the preparation of nanocomposites based poly(mannitol sebacate) (PMS), a prominent example of this materials family, with cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Nanocomposites were achieved in a two‐step process. A soluble, low‐molecular‐weight PMS pre‐polymer was formed via the polycondensation reaction between sebacic acid and D‐mannitol. Nanocomposites with different CNC content were prepared by solution‐casting and curing under vacuum using two different profiles designed to prepare materials with low and high degree of crosslinking. The as‐prepared nanocomposites have higher stiffness and toughness than the neat PMS matrix while maintaining a high elongation at break. A highly crosslinked nanocomposite with a CNC content of 5 wt % displays a sixfold increase in Young's modulus and a fivefold improvement in toughness. Nanocomposites also exhibit a shape memory effect with a switch temperature in the range of 15 to 45 °C; in particular the materials with a thermal transition in the upper part of this range are potentially useful for biomedical applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3123–3133     

Phase morphology of hydrolysable polyurethanes derived from aqueous dispersions

Biodegradable polyurethanes are an interesting alternative to many applications that involve plastics since they can minimize environmental problems caused by the low rates of natural degradation of synthetic polymers. In addition, since waterborne polyurethanes are based on aqueous dispersions, they restrict the use of organic solvents during processing and application of the polymer, thus contributing furthermore to reduce environmental damage. In this work, aqueous anionic polyurethane dispersions (PUD) with tailorable susceptibility for hydrolysis were synthesized by progressively replacing polypropylene glycol (PPG) with a biodegradable polycaprolactone diol (PCL) as soft segments. The hard segments were formed by extending isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) with hydrazine (HZ). Dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA) was used as ionic center and triethyl amine (TEA) as neutralizer. The degree of phase separation was evaluated mainly by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The results indicated that phase separation between hard and soft segments of poly(ester-urethane) is more significant than that of poly(ether-urethane). Data obtained from SAXS experiments indicated that phase separation within soft domains can also be present in samples containing both polyester and polyether soft segments. Hydrolytic degradation of the polymers in buffer solution of pH 7.4 and alkaline solution was performed as an initial test. The results showed that the fraction of polyester soft segments in the polyurethanes can be used to tailor the susceptibility of the materials to hydrolytic attack. Polyurethanes having higher contents of polyester were more promptly hydrolytically degraded than polyurethanes containing only polyether segments.     

Recent advances on the structure–properties relationship of multiblock copolymers

Multiblock copolymers represent a fascinating class of materials that sits at the very heart of industrial applications and fundamental polymer science. They are most often made of a linear succession of incompatible “soft” and “hard” segments that microphase separate at room temperature while they can be easily re-homogenized upon heating. This thermoreversible character provides them with decisive advantages with respect to other rubber-based materials such as vulcanized elastomers, making them indispensable for the development of a more sustainable polymer industry. Beyond practical opportunities, tailoring the multiblock copolymers morphology has a pivotal role to play in the fundamental understanding of the structure–properties relationship of polymer-based systems. It notably serves to comprehend complex materials such as semicrystalline homopolymers and nanocomposites. Aside from the thorough work developed on well-defined diblock copolymers for half a century, this article review aims to guide the reader into the more intricate world of multiblock copolymers by providing him/her quantitative tools to connect chemical nature, microstructure and mechanical properties.     

单组分聚氨酯清漆的制备与性能研究

不同的聚碳酸酯二元醇、聚四亚甲基醚二醇(PTMG)与二苯甲烷二异氰酸酯(MDI)、小分子二元醇反应,制得聚醚、聚碳酸酯型聚氨酯清漆。通过红外光谱分析结合其机械力学性能、耐水性等的测试结果,探讨聚碳酸酯型聚氨酯清漆的结构对形态和性能的影响。结果表明：随着硬段含量的增加,树脂涂膜的微相分离程度增加,机械性能提高;组分摩尔比例相同时,软段分子量的降低有利于提高树脂的软硬段相容性,增加树脂涂膜的物理机械性能;组分摩尔比例相同时聚酯型聚氨酯树脂的微相分离程度低于聚醚型聚氨酯树脂;MDI基溶剂型聚氨酯树脂的物理机械性能较好。     

Enhanced hydrogen bonding and its dramatic impact on deformation behaviors in a biomedical poly(carbonate urethane) with fluorinated chain extender

The enhanced hydrogen bonding, manifested by significant frequency decreasing of both N? H and C?O stretching vibrations, is confirmed in a biomedical poly(carbonate urethane) with fluorinated chain extender. It gives rise to preferential association among hard segments and thus promoted microphase separation, which is responsible for the plastic deformation behaviors of the fluorinated poly(carbonate urethane). Furthermore, the segmental orientation, including both soft and hard segments, has been well correlated with the enhanced hydrogen bonding as well as promoted microphase separation. Under stretching large domains are prone to orient with their long axis along tensile direction and thus a negative orientation of hard segments is observed. Meanwhile, decreased orientation of soft segments can also find its origin in the reduced crosslinking density provided by hard domains because of preferential association among hard segments in such a biomedical material. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2198–2205, 2009     

Polydimethylsiloxane–polyurethane elastomers: Synthesis and properties of segmented copolymers and related zwitterionomers

A series of polyurethane block polymers based on hydroxybutyl-terminated polydimethyl-siloxane soft segments of molecular weight 2000 were synthesized. The hard segments consisted of 4,4′-methylenediphenylene diisocyanate (MDI) which was chain extended with either 1,4-butanediol (BD) or N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA). The MDEA-extended materials were ionized by using 1,3-propane sultone. The weight fraction of hard segments was in the range 0.13–0.39. The morphology and properties of these polyurethane elastomers were studied by a variety of techniques. All of these short-segment block copolymers showed nearly complete phase separation. The zwitterionomer materials exhibited ionic aggregation within the hard domains. Hard-segment crystallinity or ionic aggregation did not affect the morphology. Hard-domain cohesion was found to be a more important factor than hard-domain volume fraction in determining the tensile and viscoelastic properties of these elastomers.     

Conformational aspects of segmented poly(ester-urethanes)

Segmented poly(ester-urethanes) containing hard and soft segments, were obtained from aromatic diisocyanates with thiodiglycol or diethylene glycol as chain extenders, and poly(ethylene glycol)adipate usig a multistep polyaddition process. Transition temperatures by differential scanning calorimetry and thermo-optical analysis were employed to characterize polyurethane materials. Changes in the conformation of these polyurethanes were analyzed also, by viscometer measurements in N,N-dimethyl-formamide. The obtained data revealed that the thermal curves are influenced by the soft and hard segment structures in the temperature range studied.     

Dynamics and deformation behaviour in non-hydrogen bonded model urethanes under heat and stress as studied by dielectric and infrared spectroscopy

A model polyether-urethane with monodisperse N-alkyl polyurethane hard segment has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, dielectric spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy. The temperature dependent changes in the enthalpic and dielectric properties have been correlated with specific molecular motions and transition processes in the hard and soft phase. The orientation of the hard and soft segments under uniaxial stress changes with the strain and mechanisms for the orientation and deformation behaviour have been proposed. Effects of the thermal history of the sample on the properties have been discussed as well.