Synthesis and study of morphology and biocompatibility of xanthan gum/titanium dioxide-based polyurethane elastomers

Abstract

A series of xanthan gum/titanium dioxide-based polyurethane elastomers were synthesized through the prepolymer method by the step growth polymerization. In the present work, xanthan gum was used as a bioactive material, with TiO2 as a nanofiller. The structural characterization of newly prepared polyurethane samples was carried out with the help of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric Analysis gave us the information about the thermal stability. Differential Scanning Calorimetry directs the thermal changes in the polyurethane samples. The Atomic Force Microscopy technique revealed that the degree of micro-phase separation increases by augmenting the % age of TiO2, which was further confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction results. XRD confirmed the crystallinity of the final sample at about 2θ = 20◦ . Antimicrobial activity determined through the Disc Diffusion Method, and the results indicated that the synthesized polyurethane have antimicrobial activity. The water absorption capability of the polyurethane samples showed that these polymer samples are hydrophilic in nature.