PHYSICOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF POLYETHERURETHANEUREA IN PHOSPHATE BUFFER SOLUTION

Polyetherurethaneureas are increasingly used as implants in the human body, where they come in contact with body fluid. Most of the reported properties of polyetherurethaneureas have been determined in the dry state. The present work deals with the properties of these materials in aqueous systems. A number of linear polyetherurethaneureas based on polyethoxyglycol and polypropoxyglycol of different molecular weights, 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocynate, 1,3-propanediamine and 1,6-hexanediamine have been prepared. Their swelling characteristics and phase composition in phosphate buffer solution are evaluated. The role of water in changing various properties of polyetherurethaneureas is discussed.