ON THE BIOSTABILITY OF A NOVEL BETA-CYCLODEXTRIN BASED HYDROPHILIC POLYURETHANE

A novel hydrophilic biodegradable polyurethane was synthesised by chai n extending the prepolymer formed between polyethylene glycol 1000 and hexamethylene di-iso-cyanate with beta-cyclodextrin. The molecular we ight averages of the polymer were found to decrease on soil burial ind icating the influence of soil-borne microorganisms in initiating the d egradation of the polymer. Though mechanically inferior compared to co nventional polyurethanes, the polymer was found to have interesting pr operties like pH-dependent swelling and ability to adsorb various comp onents, together with the much needed biodegradability. (C) 1996 Elsev ier Science Limited