Functional Zwitterionic Polyurethanes: State-of-the-Art Review

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Surface Engineering

Background:

• Synthetic polymers, especially polyurethanes (PUs), are crucial in bioengineering and medical devices.
• PUs' inherent hydrophobicity causes friction, protein adsorption, and thrombosis, limiting their biological applications.
• Surface modification of PUs for hydrophilicity lacks durability; bulk modification is preferred.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of zwitterionic polyurethanes (ZPUs).
• To explore the synthesis, properties, and diverse biomedical applications of ZPUs.
• To summarize challenges and future prospects of ZPUs in biological applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on zwitterionic polymers and their incorporation into PUs.
• Categorization of ZPUs based on zwitterionic groups (e.g., phosphorylcholine, sulfobetaine, carboxybetaine).
• Analysis of ZPU applications in various fields, including biomedical, marine, and materials science.

Main Results:

• ZPUs demonstrate improved hydrophilicity and biocompatibility compared to conventional PUs.
• ZPUs exhibit broad applicability, including blood-contacting devices, antibacterial coatings, and separation membranes.
• Bulk modification techniques effectively create durable hydrophilic functionalities in PUs.

Conclusions:

• Zwitterionic modification offers a robust strategy to enhance PU performance in biological and other demanding environments.
• ZPUs hold significant promise for advanced medical devices, coatings, and functional materials.
• Further research is needed to address challenges and fully realize the potential of ZPUs.