title: Low permeability biomedical polyurethane nanocomposites.
abstract: In this article we describe our continuing research on a novel nanocomposite approach for reducing gas permeability through biomedical polyurethane membranes. Nanocomposites were prepared using commercially available poly(urethane urea)s (PUU) and two organically modified layered silicates (OLS). Wide-angle X-ray diffraction experiments showed that the silicate layer spacing in the nanocomposites increased significantly compared with the neat OLS, signifying the formation of intercalated PUU/OLS structures. The nanocomposite materials exhibit increased modulus with increasing OLS content, while maintaining polymer strength and ductility. Water vapor permeability was reduced by about fivefold at the highest OLS contents, as a result of PUU/inorganic composite formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Materials Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Ruijian
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Manias
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Runt
mesh_terms: D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D036103:Nanotechnology; D010539:Permeability; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D011140:Polyurethanes