Synthesis and characterization of stable and biological active chitin-based polyurethane elastomers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Polyurethane (PU) elastomers are widely used but often require modification for enhanced biocompatibility and bioactivity.
• Curcumin, a natural compound, possesses antioxidant and antibacterial properties that can be leveraged to improve biomaterials.
• Chitin incorporation can further enhance the biological characteristics of polymer matrices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel biocompatible polyurethane elastomers incorporating curcumin and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO).
• To investigate the effect of varying curcumin and 1,4-BDO ratios on the properties of the synthesized PU elastomers.
• To evaluate the structural, thermal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties of the modified PU elastomers.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of five polyurethane elastomer samples via step-growth polymerization using hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), chitin, curcumin, and 1,4-BDO.
• Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed for structural analysis and confirmation of component incorporation.
• Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to assess thermal stability, and the agar diffusion method was utilized for antibacterial property evaluation.

Main Results:

• FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the successful incorporation of curcumin and 1,4-BDO into the polyurethane matrix.
• Thermogravimetric analysis indicated good thermal stability, particularly for the sample with 0.25 µM curcumin and 1.75 µM 1,4-BDO.
• Agar diffusion tests demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against selected bacterial strains, highlighting the potential of these modified elastomers.

Conclusions:

• The incorporation of curcumin into polyurethane elastomers significantly enhances their biocompatibility, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.
• The synthesized PU elastomers show promising potential for various biomedical applications due to their improved biological characteristics.
• This study represents a step towards developing innovative biocompatible materials for biological and medical uses.