A main chain biodegradable polyurethane with anti-protein adsorption and anti-bacterial adhesion performances

Soft Matter. 2023 Dec 20;20(1):192-200. doi: 10.1039/d3sm01344h.

Abstract

Biofilms are initially formed by substances such as proteins secreted by bacteria adhering to a surface. To achieve a durable antibacterial material, biodegradable dihydroxyl-terminated poly[(ethylene oxide)-co-(ethylene carbonate)] (PEOC(OH)2) with anti-protein adsorption properties was synthesized in this study. Further polycondensation of PEOC(OH)2 and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) led to biodegradable polyurethane (PEOC-PU) with PEOC as the soft segment. For comparison, polyurethanes with polyethylene glycol (PEG-PU) and polypropylene glycol (PPG-PU) as soft segments were also synthesized. The chemical structures of the polyurethanes were characterized by 1H NMR and FTIR. The biodegradation behavior of PEOC-PU promoted by lipase due to the presence of ethylene carbonate units was also studied. Their resistance to proteins was studied using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and the results revealed that PEOC-PU exhibited excellent nonspecific resistance to proteins. The colonization of microorganisms on PU in the liquid culture medium was further examined and the results showed that PEOC-PU exhibited excellent antibacterial adhesion performance due to its protein resistance and biodegradation.

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Polyurethanes* / chemistry
  • Proteins*

Substances

  • Polyurethanes
  • Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biocompatible Materials