Compatibility and biocompatibility study of new HPC/PU blends

Abstract

AbstractBACKGROUND: Polymer blending is one of the most useful methods for the improvement or modification of the physicochemical properties of polymeric materials without altering the structure and function of individual polymers. The blends between biopolymers and synthetic polymers are of particular significance because they can combine biocompatibility with good processability and mechanical resistance and can be used as biomaterials. The aim of the blending of hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) and polyurethane (PU) is to find applications for newly synthesized PUs and also to create new materials with possible medical applications and enhanced surface properties.RESULTS: Films containing mostly HPC or mostly PU are found to be homogeneous and transparent, while for the intermediate composition range a morphology of a fine dispersion in a continuous matrix is characteristic. The values of the blood–biomaterial interfacial tension (γSL) are in the range 1.96–3.27 mN m−1, which allows us to conclude that these materials have a good haemocompatibility.CONCLUSION: The thermomechanical and morphological behaviour were explored and specific interactions were evident between the PU blocks and the HPC chains especially in the 60% HPC–20% HPC/40% PU–80% PU composition range because of the high degree of compatibility. The blends obtained are not cytotoxic and exhibit good surface properties and haemocompatibility. Therefore they could be candidates for medical and pharmaceutical applications. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry