To address the lack of blood compatibility and antifouling properties of polyurethanes (PUs), a novel zwitterionic poly(carboxybetaine urethane) platform with excellent antifouling and tunable mechanical properties is presented. poly(carboxybetaine urethane) was synthesized via the condensation polymerization of diisocyanate with carboxybetaine (CB)-based triols. Post-polymerization hydrolysis of triol-segments at the interface generates zwitterionic CB functional groups that provide excellent antifouling properties via the enhanced hydration capacities of CB groups. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry measurement show the high thermal stability of poly(carboxybetaine urethane)s with up to 305 <sup>o</sup>C degradation temperature. Tunable mechanical properties and water uptakes can be finely tuned by controlling the structure and ratio of CB-based triol cross-linker. This study presents a new strategy to incorporate CB functional groups into the polyurethane without a significantly changing of the synthesis method and conditions of PU. It also provides deeper understanding on structure-property relationships of zwitterionic polyurethane. Due to its superior antifouling properties than existing PU and similar cost, mechanical, stability and processability, poly(carboxybetaine urethane) is of enormous potential to replace current PUs and may open the new avenue to PUs for more challenging biomedical applications in which the existing PUs cannot be used due to calcification and poor antifouling properties.

Zwitterionic polyurethanes with tunable surface and bulk properties

2019 Fall National Meeting

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