Development and Research of Polyurethane Foam Composite Materials with Albucid

In modern surgery there is a need for restorative and reconstructive operations in the orbit and periorbital area as a result of eye injuries. This study is aimed at the development and research of the structure and properties of polyurethane foam (PUF) composite materials filled by antimicrobial drug substance albucid as implants for ophthalmic surgery. PUF composite materials with albucid (in the amount of 5 wt.%) based on diisocyanate prepolymer (synthesized from polyoxypropylene glycol and 2.4-; 2.6-toluylene diisocyanate) were obtained. The structure, adhesive, thermophysical and thermogravimetric properties, morphology of composite materials have been characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), mechanical tests, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and transmission optical microscopy (TOM). It is established that the immobilization of albucid occurs due to intermolecular hydrogen bonds by the method of IR spectroscopy. According to the results of physical-mechanical tests the presence of albucid in the composition of polyurethane foams does not affect the value of the adhesive strength of composite materials. According to DSC the investigated systems are single-phase with a glass transition temperature from minus 48.40 to minus 48.64°C. The introduction of albucid into the PUF causes a decrease of the specific heat capacity at the glass-transition temperature and does not affect on the Tg of composite materials. According to the results of analysis of TOM photomicrograph, it was found that the presence of albucid in the composite materials leads to a decrease in the porosity percentage, an increase in the quantity of pores with a diameter less than 300 μm, which is 82% (while for PUF it is 69.5%) and the absence of pores with a diameter more than 954 μm. Thermogravimetric characteristics indicate the heat resistance of the synthesized PUF to a temperature of 162.84°C, which makes it possible to carry out dry sterilization of samples without changing their characteristics. Therefore, the obtained PUF composite materials with albucid exhibit adhesion, heat resistance and have a microporous structure. It allows us to conclude that they are promising materials that can be used in medical practice, in particular in ophthalmic surgery as implants with antimicrobial action.