Preparation, characterization and swelling behaviors of polyurethane-grafted calcium alginate hydrogels.

Abstract: Polyurethane was synthesized by the reaction of isophorone diisocyanate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and diethylene glycol. Then polyurethane grafted calcium alginate gel material was prepared via free-radical grafting polymerization with azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. Modified calcium alginate hydrogel was improved in thermal property, crystallinity and anti-swelling properties. The reason is that polyurethane side chains affect the arrangement of calcium alginate by forming highly ordered crystal region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]