Hydrogen Bonding Index Research Articles

The effect of polycaprolactone polyol molecular weight and chain extender type on the physico-mechanical properties and gas permeability of polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer membranes

ABSTRACT In this study, polyurethane thermoplastic elastomers (TPU) were synthesized using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 1,4-butanediol (BDO), and 1,6-hexanediol (HDO) as the chain extenders, and polycaprolactone diol (PCL-diol) with three different molecular weights (2000, 4000, and 10,000 g/mol) as polyols. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were conducted to analyze the chemical microstructure and phase morphology of the prepared samples. The results showed that the change in the chain extender’s type (BDO and HDO) leads to a decrease in the hydrogen bonding index (HBI). Increasing the molecular weight of PCL-diol in BDO-based TPUs has led to an increase in their crystallinity, Young’s modulus, melting temperature, tensile strength, and a decrease in glass transition temperature and elongation at break. Moreover, the increase in the molecular weight of PCL-diol in HDO-based TPUs demonstrated an increase in the crystallinity and elongation at break and tensile strength up to the molecular weight 4000 in PCL-diol, after that, there was a decrease in those properties due to the increase of the soft segments content and change in the chain extender type. Permeability on TPU membranes was performed for N2 and CO2 at three different pressures 3, 6, and 9 atm at room temperature. An increase in pressure led to an increase in membrane permeability due to the increase in gas solubility in TPU based on Henry’s law. The permeability of CO2 is higher than N2 due to the proper interactions of CO2 gas with the polar carbonyl groups of polyurethane. It is observed that the permeability increases in BDO-based samples with an increase in the molecular weight of PCL-diol, while the increase in permeability of HDO-based TPU is up to PCL-diol molecular weight 4000 and after that is decreased. The selectivity of CO2 has decreased with increasing pressure due to the higher rate of dissolution of N2 at higher pressures.

Fast Prediction of Lipophilicity of Organofluorine Molecules: Deep Learning-Derived Polarity Characters and Experimental Tests.

Fast and accurate estimation of lipophilicity for organofluorine molecules is in great demand for accelerating drug and materials discovery. A lipophilicity data set of organofluorine molecules (OFL data set), containing 1907 samples, is constructed through density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental measurements. An efficient and interpretable model, called PoLogP, is developed to predict the n-octanol/water partition coefficient, log Po/w, of organofluorine molecules on the basis of the descriptors of polarization, which is a combination of polarity descriptors, including the molecular polarity index and molecular polarizability (α), and hydrogen bond (HBs) index, consisting of the number of donors (NHBD) and acceptors (NHBA and NHB-FA). The present PoLogP with a combination of polarity descriptors is demonstrated to perform better than the dipole moment (μ) alone for the F-contained molecules. With the aid of a multilevel attention graph convolutional neural network model, the fast generation of polarity descriptors of organofluorine molecules could be achieved with the DFT accuracy based only on a topological molecular graph structure. The performance of PoLogP is further validated on synthesized organofluorine molecules and 2626 non-fluorinated molecules with satisfactory accuracy, highlighting the potential usage of PoLogP in high-throughput screening of the functional molecules with the desired solubility in various solvent media.

Electroactive shape memory polyurethane composites reinforced with octadecyl isocyanate-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) have a wide range of potential applications in many fields. In particular, electrically driven SMPs have attracted increasing attention due to their unique electrical deformation behaviors. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are often used as SMP conductive fillers because of their excellent electrical conductivities. However, raw CNTs do not disperse into the polymer matrix well. This strictly limits their use. In this study, to improve their dispersion performance characteristics in the polymer matrix, hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-OHs) were functionalized with octadecyl isocyanate (i-MWCNTs). Polyurethane with shape memory properties (SMPU) was synthesized using polycaprolactone diol (PCL-diol), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), and 1,4-butanediol (BDO) at a 1:5:4 ratio. Then, electroactive shape memory composites were developed by blending SMPU with i-MWCNTs to produce SMPU/i-MWCNTs. The functionalized i-MWCNTs exhibited better dispersibility characteristics in organic solvents and SMPU composites than the MWCNT-OHs. The addition of i-MWCNTs reduced the crystallinity of SMPU without affecting the original chemical structure. In addition, the hydrogen bond index and melting temperature of the SMPU soft segment decreased significantly, and the thermal decomposition temperatures of the composites increased. The SMPU/i-MWCNT composites exhibited conductivity when the i-MWCNT content was 0.5 wt%. This conductivity increased with the i-MWCNT content. In addition, when the i-MWCNT content exceeded 1 wt%, the composite temperature could increase beyond 60°C within 140 s and the temporary structure could be restored to its initial state within 120 s using a voltage of 30 eV. Therefore, the functionalized CNTs exhibit excellent potential for use in the development of electroactive shape memory composites, which may be used in flexible electronics and other fields.

Microstructure and viscoelastic behavior of waterborne polyurethane/cellulose nanofiber nanocomposite

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) has been widely used to reinforce the mechanical properties of waterborne polyurethane (WPU). There are, however, few works that focus on structure, rheological behavior, and creep resistance of WPU/CNF composites. To fill this research gap, in this work, the m-CNF was obtained by γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane modification to improve the interfacial strength of CNF and WPU, and then it was introduced into the polyurethane matrix. Structure characterization of WPU/m-CNF nanocomposites is performed using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The obtained results show that with the increase of m-CNF, the hydrogen bonding index (HBI) increased, which meant a significant improvement in the mechanical properties. The tensile strength improved by 480%. Moreover, with the increase of m-CNF content, the viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus of the dispersions increased and showed more obvious shear-thinning behavior. In addition, m-CNF improved the thermal stability and creep resistance of WPU. The creep strain of WPU decreased from 3% to 0.2%. This work offers a simply feasible way to prepare environmental friendly green nanocomposites.

FTIR INVESTIGATION ON CRYSTALLINITY OF HYDROXYPROPYL METHYL CELLULOSE-BASED POLYMERIC BLENDS

Two series of polymeric blends have been prepared based on hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC)/polyacrylic acid (PAA) (1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4) and HPMC/sodium alginate (SA) (1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:40) and investigated by Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). IR analysis confirmed the interaction between the polymeric components in the blend and the degree of structural organization. Crystallinity changes in the blends were observed as a function of a number of experimental parameters, such as temperature, composition and HPMC concentration, by determining the quantitative crystallinity indexes: Total Crystallinity Index (TCI), Lateral Order Index (LOI) and Hydrogen Bond Index (HBI).

New Star-Shaped Polyether-Pentols (PEPOs) for Fabrication of Crosslinked Polyurethanes-Synthesis and Characterization.

Polyether-pentols (PEPOs) were synthesized from glycidyl ethers and butylene oxide with the application of tripotassium salts of 2,2,6,6-tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexanol (HMCH) activated 18C6 for ring-opening polymerization (ROP). The construction of the applied initiator system reflects the ability of crown ether to influence the degree of ion-pair separation with an increased activating effect. As a result formation of bi- or trimodal polymers was observed with molar masses in the range of (Mn = 1200–6000). The observed multi-fraction composition is prescribed to the formation of ionic aggregates with different reactivities during polymerization. The mechanism of the studied processes is discussed. The obtained PEPOs served for a crosslinked PUR synthesis, for which the hydrogen bond index for coupling of hard segments was calculated. Additionally, the range of phase separation was calculated that was higher for PUR-containing aromatic rings as the substituent.

Using infrared spectrum analyses to predict tensile strength of fibres in a group of closely related plant species: case of Mascarenes Pandanus spp.

Replacing synthetic fibres with natural ones is key for clean and sustainable manufacturing. Natural fibres require characterization to investigate their usefulness. However, current testing methodologies require a large sample size due to the strong variation of tensile strength (TS) among the fibre of the same plant species. The development of a simpler test method to predict fibre TS would help in the selection of the most appropriate plant species with desirable TS values while performing fewer tests; thus saving on time and cost. FT-IR results that determine fibre crystallinity through specific IR absorbance peak ratios may serve to predict the fibre TS. In this study, we tested the relationship between fibre TS and cellulose crystallinity for seven different species of Pandanus spp. Thus, empirical mathematical relationships between the fibre TS value and indices obtained by three specific IR absorbance peaks ratios, namely the total crystallinity index, lateral order index, and hydrogen bond index have been established with a good correlation coefficient (96, 98, and 95%, respectively).

Preparation of Shape Memory Polyurethane/Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposite Scaffolds by Electrospinning Method and Investigation of Their Microstructure and Physical-Mechanical Properties

ABSTRACT A facile method was used for fabricating in-situ-polymerized shape memory polyurethane (PU) hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocomposite scaffolds through electrospinning. The chemical structure and hydrogen bonding index (HBI) content were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The crystalline morphology was analyzed by X-ray diffraction patterns. Differential scanning calorimetry was conducted to determine the glass transition temperature (Tg ) and degree of crystallinity. The results revealed that HA nanoparticles provide significant reinforcement of PU. Furthermore, incorporation of HA nanoparticles improved the shape memory properties of nanocomposites. The effect of HA nanoparticles on PU/HA electrospun fiber diameter, porosity, mechanical, and shape memory properties were examined.

Immobilized artificial membrane chromatography as a tool for the prediction of ecotoxicity of pesticides

The potential of Immobilized Artificial Membrane (IAM) chromatography to predict ecotoxicological endpoints of pesticides was investigated. For this purpose, retention factors of 39 structurally-diverse pesticides were measured on an IAM stationary phase. A representative test set of 6 pesticides was carefully selected. The training set, involving the remaining pesticides for which experimental data were available, served to establish linear IAM models with LC50/EC50 values in a series of aquatic organisms involving Rainbow Trout, Fathead Minnow, Bluegill Sunfish, Sheepshead Minnow, Eastern Oyster and Water Flea as well as LD50 values in honey bee, compiled from literature sources. For reasons of comparison, corresponding models were derived by replacing IAM retention factors with octanol-water partition coefficients (logP). Considering the similar regression equations obtained for the 4 fish species, general models to predict toxicity in fish were established. Most models were improved upon inclusion of additional physicochemical parameters. The positive contribution of Molecular Weight to ecotoxicity along with the positive sign of hydrogen bond indices in most cases implies that toxic action is manifested mainly by accumulation on the membrane rather than through diffusion across them. IAM models are generally followed by better statistics and superior predictive performance than those based on experimental or computed logP. Predictions based on IAM chromatography were comparable or even superior with those performed by EPI Suite Software. Hence, IAM retention factors are suggested as promising indices in order to screen or rank chemicals with respect to their ecotoxicological risk, especially in the case of new entities.

Synthesis and characterization of non-ionic and anionic two-component aromatic waterborne polyurethane

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to synthesize and characterize a series of two-component aromatic waterborne polyurethane (2K-WPU) which is composed of non-ionic and anionic polyisocyanate aqueous dispersion and polyurethane polyol aqueous dispersion.Design/methodology/approachThe polyisocyanate aqueous dispersion was synthesized through non-ionic and anionic hydrophilic modification procedures. The values of the hydrogen bonding index (HBI) and molecule structures of WPU were obtained by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The thermal, mechanical and water resistance properties of 2K-WPU films were investigated.FindingsThe appearance of non-ionic polyisocyanate aqueous dispersion and anionic polyisocyanate aqueous dispersion was colorless translucent pan blue and yellow opaque emulsions, respectively. FTIR not only showed that 2K-WPU was obtained from the polymerization of polyisocyanate component and polyhydroxy component by polymerization but also showed that the content of hydrogen bondings of anionic 2K-WPU (WPU 2) was higher than non-ionic 2K-WPU (WPU 1). The glass-transition temperature (Tg), storage modulus and water resistance of WPU 2 were higher than WPU1, whereas the thermal stability of WPU1 was better than WPU 2.Practical implicationsThe investigation established a method to prepare a series of 2K-WPU which was composed of non-ionic or anionic polyisocyanate aqueous dispersion and polyurethane polyol aqueous dispersion. The prepared 2K-WPU film could be applied as substrate resin material in the field of waterborne coating.Originality/valueThe paper established a method to synthesize a series of 2K-WPU. The effect of HBI value and the molecule structure of soft segment on the thermal stability, mechanical and water resistance properties of 2K-WPU films were studied.

Surface modification of new cellulose fiber extracted from Conium maculatum plant: a comparative study

This study addresses the modification and characterization of Conium maculatum fiber to enhance its usability as reinforcement in polymeric composite materials. The fibers were treated with alkali, silane, potassium permanganate, potassium dichromate and silicone oil, then surface chemistry (fourier transform spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), thermal stability (thermogravimetric analysis) and morpho-structure (X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy) of the fibers were characterized by instrumentally. It was determined that the treatments increased hydrogen bond index and oxygen/carbon atomic ratio of the fibers. Alkali treatment had a positive impact on crystallinity index of the fiber by improving crystallite packing order following partial removal of non-cellulosic agents. The oxidation agents and the silane coupling agent reduced the crystallinity index of the fiber as a result of opening of glucopyranose rings and the increments in the distance between the cellulose macromolecular chains, respectively. Thermal degradation temperatures of the fiber were improved after treatment and the fiber presented rougher surface after treatments that can be an advantage when used as reinforcement to enhance mechanical strength of the final composite.

Treatment of different parts of corn stover for high yield and lower polydispersity lignin extraction with high-boiling alkaline solvent

The influence of different parts of corn stover on lignin extraction was investigated. Five kinds of lignin were isolated by the high boiling point solvent extraction from the whole corn stover and four different parts including leaf, husk, bark and pith. The optimal condition was obtained: 6.25 g/L NaOH, 140 °C, 1 h and 60% (v/v) 1,4-butanediol. The extracted lignins were then characterized. FT-IR analysis revealed that all of the lignins were typically herbaceous. The lignin extracted from husk contained more S unit. Gel permeation chromatography analysis showed that it was necessary to separate corn stover into different parts to obtain low polydispersity lignin. The SEM and FT-IR analysis proved that the lignin dissolution was related to the tightness structure presenting a positive correlation with hydrogen bond index.

Proposed Hydrogen-Bonding Index of Donor or Acceptor Reflecting Its Intrinsic Contribution to Hydrogen-Bonding Strength.

In this work, we tentatively propose that the hydrogen-bonding strength EHB (referring to the minimal hydrogen-bonding energy) and its corresponding hydrogen-bond (HB) distance (referring to the optimal HB distance dHB) for simple mono-HB systems have an exponential relationship on the basis of MP2 and DFT computational results. We take a step further and propose that the hydrogen-bonding indices of the donor (Idonor) and acceptor (Iacceptor), reflecting their intrinsic contributions to hydrogen-bonding strength, also have an exponential relation with the hypothetical effective hydrogen-bond radii of the donor (rdonor) and acceptor (racceptor), respectively. On the basis of extensive quantum-mechanical calculations, relevant assumptions about the hydrogen-bonding index are rationalized. Moreover, the hydrogen-bonding index is also suggested as an additional prefiltering criterion for virtual screening besides the widely accepted Lipinski's rule of five. Finally, a "Hydrogen-Bond Index Estimator (HBIE)" module has been implemented in our Visual Force Field Derivation Toolkit (VFFDT) program to approximately and rapidly estimate the hydrogen-bonding indices of any small molecules in batch and screen possible stronger donors or acceptors from the small-molecule database. To the best of our knowledge, the concept of the hydrogen-bonding index and its potential application are proposed here for the first time.

Characterization of polyurethane networks structure and properties based on rapeseed oil derived polyol

Polyurethane (PU) networks were synthesized from rapeseed oil (RO) and triethanolamine (TEA) polyols, as well as from modified RO/TEA polyol with ε-caprolactone (CPL) and triethylene glycol (TEG) additives. The study was carried out to determine the impact of molecular weight between cross-links (Mc), urethane group concentration and dangling chain concentration on structure of PU networks, physical, mechanical and thermal properties. The Mc of PU networks was varied using isocyanates (4,4′-methylene diphenyldiisocyanate (MDI), polymeric MDI Suprasec 2651, a polymeric MDI Lupranate M20) separately or in a mixture; the functionality of isocyanates was changed in range from 2.0 to 2.7. Using The Fourier transform infra-red spectral analysis (FTIR-ATR) the impact of Mc and urethane group concentration on PU networks to form hydrogen bonds was determined. Hydrogen bonding index (HBI) was calculated using ratio COb/COfree, parameter R was calculated using ratio NHb/NHfree. It was found out that with increasing Mc of PU networks, HBI and R also increases. Glass transition temperature (Tg) of PU networks was determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Using model compound bis(2-hydroxyethyl)methylamine (MDEA) for PU networks synthesis, it was discovered that long dangling chains from RO/TEA are screening polar groups within PU networks, thus H-bond formation is interfered and as a result Tg and tensile strength decreases significantly in PU networks obtained from RO/TEA polyols. The volume contraction (Δυ) during PU-forming reaction is determined by using experimental densities of PU and raw material additive densities. Higher Δυ was for PU networks with higher urethane group concentration and higher Mc. The cohesion energy density (CED) and Van der Waals volume (Vw) was calculated for groups in PU networks structure. There is a correlation between CED and tensile strength of the obtained PU. The thermal properties of PU networks were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The initial weight loss (5wt.%) occurs at lower temperature with increasing Mc and urethane group concentration.

Hydrolytic degradation and functional stability of a segmented shape memory poly(ester urethane)

In order to understand the effects of water and hydrolytic ageing on semi-crystalline poly(ester urethane) and its shape memory functionality, water immersion experiments at elevated temperature have been performed on a model substance and various parameters were monitored: change of the melting/crystallisation temperatures, substantial increase in crystallinity, temperature dependence of the water diffusion coefficient and solubility, hydrogen-bonding index and phase mixing by peak deconvolution of the FT-IR carbonyl region and day-to-day tensile and thermo-mechanical cyclic tensile tests. A rising fraction of freezable water agglomerates in the polymer was found for specimens cooled from the immersion temperature. The degradation process could be divided into three phases: an induction phase, a phase of continuous degradation and a phase of accelerated degradation. Shape recovery remains fairly constant during phase one and decreases slowly during phase two. The increase in crystallinity in phase two is accompanied by an increase in shape fixing ability.

Interplay between Hydrogen-Bond Formation and Multicenter π-Electron Delocalization: Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonds

The specific case of intramolecular hydrogen bonds assisted by pi-electron delocalization is thoroughly investigated using multicenter delocalization analysis. The effect of the pi-electron delocalization on the intramolecular hydrogen-bond strength is determined by means of the relative molecular energies of "open" and "closed" structures, calculated at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. These relative energies are compared to variations in the multicenter electron delocalization indices and covalent hydrogen-bond indices, which are shown to correlate very well with the relative strength of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds studied. The multicenter electron delocalization indices and covalent bond indices have been computed using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules approach. The hydrogen bonds are formed with oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur as acceptor atom, which are also the atoms considered to be bonded to the donor hydrogen. Malonaldehyde is taken as reference; the substitution of oxygen by other atoms at the acceptor and donor positions and the effect of the aromaticity have been studied. The results shown here match perfectly with the qualitative expectations derived from the resonance models. In addition, they provide a quantitative picture of the role played by the pi-electron delocalization on the relative strength of intramolecular hydrogen bonds.

Interplay Between Hydrogen Bond Formation and Multicenter π-Electron Delocalization: Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonds

The interplay between aromatic electron delocalization and intermolecular hydrogen bonding is thoroughly investigated using multicenter delocalization analysis. The effect on the hydrogen bond strength of aromatic electron delocalization within the acceptor and donor molecules is determined by means of the interaction energies between monomers, calculated at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. This magnitude is compared to variations of multicenter electron delocalization indices and covalent hydrogen bond indices, which are shown to correlate perfectly with the relative values of the interaction energies for the different complexes studied. The multicenter electron delocalization indices and covalent bond indices have been computed using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules approach. All the hydrogen bonds are formed with oxygen as the acceptor atom; however, the atom bonded to the donor hydrogen has been either oxygen or nitrogen. The water-water complex is taken as reference, where the donor and acceptor molecular environments are modified by substituting the hydrogens and the hydroxyl group by phenol, furan, and pyrrole aromatic rings. The results here shown match perfectly with the qualitative expectations derived from the resonance model.

Miscibility and physical properties of conducting poly(urea‐urethane) thermoplastic elastomers

AbstractA series of amine‐terminated polyaniline oligomer (OPA)‐based conducting poly(urea‐urethane) thermoplastic elastomers (PUUs) was synthesized by two‐stage solution polymerization and characterized by FTIR. Various percentages of OPA were introduced into PUUs as chain extenders to form hard segments of PUUs with urea‐linkages. Spectroscopic and differential scanning calorimetry, as well as dynamic mechanical analysis, were conducted to elucidate the interaction and degree of miscibility between hard and soft segments, which were related to the stress–strain properties of PUUs. The hydrogen bonding index (HBI) measured by FTIR was employed to show the degree of interchain hydrogen bonding. Copolymer films with higher OPA content exhibit higher HBI and the degree of miscibility is significantly improved. The resultant conducting copolymers have higher tensile strength, higher Young's modulus, and lower elongation at break, because of the long rigid structure of OPA and the increase in the number of hydrogen bonds among the copolymers blocks. Incorporating OPA in PUUs increases the mass of the residue at temperatures over 600°C, according to thermogravimetric analysis. The conductivity of PUUs is found to range from 0.83 S/cm for neat OPA to 6.11 × 10−5 S/cm for PUUs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3803–3810, 2007

Miscibility and Properties of Acid-Treated Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Polyurethane Nanocomposites

Nanocomposites based on polyurethane and acid-treatment multi-walled carbon nanotubes (A-MWNTs) are prepared by solution blending. The surface of the MWNTs was modified by acid treatment to incorporated functional groups. The modified MWNTs exhibited improved dispersion in organic solvents and miscibility with the PU matrix. The derivatives of MWNTs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The thinning and defects of the A-MWNT from the surface etching of acid treatment can be clearly seen from TEM pictures and Raman spectra, respectively. The interaction and degree of miscibility between the MWNTs and the PU matrix is examined using FT-IR, modulated differential scanning calorimeter (MDSC), TEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The hydrogen bonding index (HBI) measured by FT-IR was employed to show the degree of interchange hydrogen bonding. Composites films with higher A-MWNT content exhibit higher HBI and the degree of miscibility is significantly improved. The resultant composites have higher tensile strength, higher Young’s modulus and lower elongation at break because of the rigid structure of A-MWNT and the increase in the number of hydrogen bonds among the composites. Incorporating A-MWNT in composites increases the mass of the residue at temperatures over 600 °C, according to thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). An A-MWNT percentage of 20 wt %, the electric conductivity approached 6.2×10−2 S/cm.

In vivo biostability of polyether polyurethanes with fluoropolymer surface modifying endgroups: Resistance to biologic oxidation and stress cracking

A series of Shore 80A polyether polyurethanes were synthesized with from 0 to 6% fluoropolymer surface modifying endgroups (SME) to provide the bulk properties of the polyurethane with the surface properties of the fluoropolymer. It was theorized that the fluoropolymer would migrate to the surface, forming a monolayer barrier to the oxidants and crack-driving agents released by macrophages and foreign body giant cells in vivo. In a 12-week biostability screening test, samples strained to 400% elongation appeared to be highly stable. In a longer-term study, the fluoropolymer SME significantly delayed, but did not completely prevent the onset of microcracking and the development of environmental stress cracking in strained samples. Even so, the 4 and 6% SME polymers explanted at 2 years performed significantly better than the control. FTIR analysis did not correlate with SME concentration, but increased hydrogen-bonding index and loss of aliphatic ether (autoxidation) did correlate with the visual appearance and density of microcracks. Significant molecular weight reductions were seen for the SME-free control, but were small (within instrumental error) for the polymers with SME. The use of fluoropolymer as a SME does appear to be warranted as a means to improve polyether polyurethane biostability.