The Development and Toxicological Evaluation of Novel Polyurethane Materials

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Polyurethane (PU) is a versatile biomaterial, but its complex applications necessitate tailored modifications.
• Understanding PU degradation and its impact on adjacent tissues is crucial for functional sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel polyurethane with double bonds in its main chain.
• To investigate how varying soft segment compositions affect PU's degradation performance.
• To assess the biocompatibility and degradation toxicity of the modified PU.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized novel PU with varying polycaprolactone diol (PCL diol) content.
• Analyzed PU structure and molecular weight using FTIR, NMR, and GPC.
• Evaluated mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, and degradation performance.
• Assessed degradation toxicity using zebrafish embryonic development models.

Main Results:

• Increased PCL diol content improved PU's mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, and degradation performance.
• Degradation solutions showed slight toxicity to zebrafish embryos over extended periods.
• Significantly enhanced zebrafish embryo hatching rates were observed.

Conclusions:

• The novel PU exhibits favorable biocompatibility.
• Modifying soft segment composition and introducing reaction sites are effective strategies for tailoring PU for specific biomedical applications.