A Novel Biomedical Polyurethane Material With Optimized Optical and Mechanical Properties Is Developed

Abstract

This research aims to design and develop a novel polyurethane elastomer (PUE) material with potential for biomedical optical applications. The study investigates the influence of hard segment (HS) content on transparency and tensile strength to optimize optical and mechanical properties. A one-step polymerization method is employed to synthesize a series of PUEs based on polyester, poly (3-methyl-1,5-pentandioladipate) (PMPA), diisocyanate (4,4-methylene bis (phenyl isocyanate) (MDI)), and the chain extender 1,4 butanediol (BD). By varying the ratios of PMPA/BD/MDI, PUE samples with different HS concentrations are synthesized. Analytical techniques including infrared spectroscopy, refractometer, UV/visible spectrophotometer, and tensile tests confirm the chemical structure of the synthesized PMPAPUE materials and investigate refractive indices (n), transmission spectra, and Young's modulus (YM), respectively. Films (PUE-1, PUE-2, and PUE-3) prepared using solvent-casting techniques exhibit varying optical and mechanical properties. PUE-1, with low HS content, demonstrates excellent transparency, with n = 1.59 and 89.63% of total transmitted light, and possesses excellent elastic properties with a YM of 10.654 MPa and a high strain value of S = 303.7%, meeting lens material requirements, promising for biomedical optical applications. Conversely, PUE-2 and PUE-3, with high HS content, are translucent and stiffer materials exhibiting higher YM, suitable for polymer processing, and tissue engineering applications. The optimization of the material's properties was achieved by carefully tailoring the composition of HS and soft segments, raw material ratios, and optimizing reaction conditions.