Synthesis and characterization of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyurethane and N-isopropylacrylamide for wound dressing

Thermosensitive semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) composed of crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNiPAAm) and linear segmented polyurethane urea (SPUU) were synthesized via thermal initiated free radical polymerization. Synthesized semi-IPNs of various compositions were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water equilibrium swelling at different temperatures, drug lading, drug release, cell adhesion, and detachment. The semi-IPN films of all the compositions were transparent in dry state and negative thermosensitivity in their swelling ratio, that is, lower swelling levels with increasing temperature. The drug release study revealed that the rate of drug release is fast in case of pure SPUU compared to PNiPAAm and semi-IPN film. Drug release depended mainly on solubility of the drugs and physical networks between SPUU and PNiPAAm. Finally NIH3T3 cells were seeded on the semi-IPN films and found that cells were securely attached and proliferated to confluence. Upon cooling, cells were detached from the semi-IPN films. Therefore, the semi-IPN films may be good candidate materials for wound dressing applications.