Biodegradable Polyurethane Materials of Different Origin Based on Natural Components

The “sustainable development” of environmentally efficient and harmless polymer materials is one of the most important tasks of the modern polymer chemistry. With an aim to develop environmentally friendly materials of wide range of applications, including (bio) medicine, we synthesized biodegradable polyurethanes of different nature: Ionic Polyurethanes (IPU) and Polyurethane Foams (PUF) based on renewable components of biotechnological exopolysaccharide Xanthan (Xa) and vegetable Castor Oil (CO). The comprehensive study of the “structure - properties - ability to (bio) degradation” relationship of structurally modified polymeric materials allows to make the conclusion, that due to incorporation of natural components into the polymer chain, the material acquires the property of biodegradation under environmental factors. The structure of the synthesized polymers has been proved by wideand small-angle X-rays scattering, infrared- and pyrolytic mass spectrometry. The biodegradability of synthesized polyurethane materials was confirmed by studies of the adhesion of microorganisms to their surface, by degree of hydrolysis in acid and alkali media and composting into a soil. Histological study of developed laboratory sample of composite material based on Xa containing PUF carried out on white mice has shown the complete resorption of the polyurethane component in the absence of injury and inflammation of the surrounding soft tissues.