Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable non-toxic poly(ester-urethane-urea)s based on poly(ε-caprolactone) and amino acid derivatives

Non-toxic biodegradable linear poly(ester-urethane-urea)s with different hydrophilic character were synthesized from poly(ε-caprolactone) as macrodiol, l-lysine diisocyanate (LDI) and ethyl ester l-lysine or l-ornithine as chain extenders. Linear segmented polymers were synthesized by the prepolymer method with a tertiary amine playing a critical role in the chain extension in heterogeneous conditions. The prepared segmented polymers were fully chemically and physically characterized, including water uptake and hydrolytic stability measurements. Depending on the poly(ε-caprolactone) length, the segmented polymers were amorphous or semicrystalline. The crystallinity degree strongly affected the mechanical properties and water uptake behaviour.