Synthesis and properties of novel degradable polyglycolide-based polyurethanes

Abstract

Novel degradable polyglycolide-based polyurethanes (PGAUs) were synthesized using polyglycolic diol (PGA diol) as soft segment, 1,6-n-hexane diisocyanate (HDI) as hard segment, and 1,4-butanediol (BDO) as chain extender agent. PGA diol (M n = 10,000 g·mol−1) was obtained by ring-opening polymerization of glycolide in the presence of BDO using stannous octanoate (Sn(Oct)2) as a catalyst. The structures of PGA diol and PGAUs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). The PGA diol and PGAUs were further studied by the means of differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, tensile testing, scanning electron microscope, and hydrolytic degradation behavior testing. FTIR and 1H NMR analyses indicated that the PGAUs were easily prepared by chain-extension reaction. The results showed that the PGAUs had improved thermal stability and enhanced mechanical properties with the hard segment increased. Degradation behavior suggested that the PGAUs could be degraded in phosphate-buffered saline solution.

Keywords

• polyglycolide-based polyurethane
• hard segment content
• thermal properties
• mechanical behavior
• hydrolytic degradation