Novel segmented polyurethanes having galactitol analogous groups

Abstract

A diol containing a protected galactitol analogue was used to synthesize segmented polyurethanes with the usual three-step addition polymerization method. By removing the protecting groups with acid, some novel galactitol analogous segmented polyurethanes (SPUs) were obtained. In these SPUs, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG), poly(butadiene) glycol (PBD), and poly(1,6-hexyl-1,2-ethyl carbonate) glycol (PC) were used as the soft segments, while 4,4'-methy)enedipheny) diisocyanate (MDI) and extender butanediol (BD) were used as the hard segments. Furthermore, long alkyl side-chains were also introduced into one of the PTMG-based SPUs. These synthesized polymers were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and the structure of the PC-based SPU6 was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. Cast films of the SPUs were characterized for surface properties by measuring the water contact angle and by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. From the results of dynamic viscoelasticity and tensile property experiments, SPU3 with the PTMG soft segment was found to show high mechanical strength and elasticity. Moreover, the blood compatibility test in vitro of the PTMG-based SPU with long alkyl side-chains was found to be good by observing the cast films in contact with platelet-rich plasma of a rabbit under a scanning electron microscope.

Keywords:

• Galactitol analogous groups
• long-chain alkyl diol
• segmented polyurethanes
• mechanical properties
• surface properties
• blood compatibility