Cytotoxicity and mechanical behavior of chitin–bentonite clay based polyurethane bio-nanocomposites

Abstract: Chitin based polyurethane bio-nanocomposites (PUBNC) were prepared using chitin, Delite® HPS bentonite nanoclay enriched in montmorillonite (MMT), 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and polycaprolactone polyol CAPA 231 (3000g/mol−1). The prepolymers having different concentration of Delite HPS bentonite nanoclay were extended with 2moles of chitin. The structures of the resulted polymers were determined by FT-IR technique. The effect of nanoclay contents on mechanical properties and in vitro biocompatibility was investigated. The mechanical properties of the synthesized materials were improved with increase in the Delite HPS® bentonite nanoclay contents. Optimum mechanical properties were obtained from the PU bio-nanocomposite samples having 4% Delite HPS® bentonite nanoclay. The results revealed that the final PU bio-nanocomposite having 2% Delite HPS® bentonite nanoclay contents is ideal contenders for surgical threads with on going investigations into their in vitro biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and mechanical properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]