Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable non-toxic poly(ester- urethane-urea)s based on poly(e-caprolactone) and amino acid derivatives

A. MARCOS-FERNÁNDEZ; G.A. ABRAHAM; J.L. VALENTÍN; J. SAN ROMÁN

POLYMER

Elsevier Ltd.

Lugar: London; Año: 2006 vol. 47 p. 785 - 798

0032-3861

Non-toxic biodegradable linear poly(ester-urethane-urea)s with different hydrophilic character were synthesized from poly(e-caprolactone) as macrodiol, L-lysine diisocyanate (LDI) and ethyl ester L-lysine or L-ornithine as chain extenders. Linear segmented polymers were synthesized bythe prepolymer method with a tertiary amine playing a critical role in the chain extension in heterogeneous conditions. The prepared segmented polymers were fully chemically and physically characterized, including water uptake and hydrolytic stability measurements. Depending on the poly(e-caprolactone) length, the segmented polymers were amorphous or semicrystalline. The crystallinity degree strongly affected the mechanical properties and water uptake behaviour.