Fluorescent poly(hydroxyurethane): Biocompatibility evaluation and selective detection ofFe(III)

Abstract

ABSTRACTPolyurethane (PU) is widely used in biomedical applications owing to its excellent physical and chemical properties. As an isocyanate‐free PU material, fluorescent poly(hydroxyurethane) (FPHU) is synthesized from the addition of the cyclic carbonates with amines rather than the toxic isocyanate with diols, which reduces the possible injury to the human due to trace amounts of the isocyanate residues. Herein, we report the biocompatibility of a FPHU that can be synthesized from carbon dioxide, bisepoxides, and diamine in tandem. Of unique, FPHU exhibits a strong blue fluorescence and is selectively sensitive to Fe3+with a detection limit of 4.56 μM. The overall results of the methylthiazolyldiphenyl‐tetrazolium, cytokine release, and hemolysis assays for FPHU indicates that FPHU has much lower cytotoxicity and immunotoxicity compared with the traditional isocyanate PU, as well as a good blood compatibility with less than 5% hemolysis rate. Therefore, FPHU presents as a kind of safer PU and can be prospectively applied in medical materials.