Synthesis and Characterizations of 1,4-butanediol( BDO )-Regulated Poly( ε-caprolactone)(PCL) Waterborne Polyurethane with Controlled Biodegradability for Medical Applications

Waterborne polyurethane(WBPU)with controlled biodegradability and biocompatibility was synthesized by using poly(ε-caprolactone)(PCL)as the polyglycol,isophorone diisocyanate(IPDI)as the isocyanate,2,2-bishydroxymethylbutyric acid(DMPA)as the chain extender and 1,4-butanediol(BDO)as the hard-segment regulating agent.We found that BDO content significantlyinfluencedmechanicalproperties,degradable performances and cyto-biocompatibility of PCL-WBPUs.Increasing the BDO content in PCL-WBPU enhanced its tensile strength and decreases strain.Enzymolysis and hydrolysis properties were also regulated by BDO content,but with different mechanisms.Cytobiocompatibility was evaluated with ATDC5 cells.The results show that the biodegradability of PCL-WBPU is significantly determined by BDO content,which exerts a serious influence on its polymer structure,leading to resultant degradable properties.