The influence of sterilization on properties of polyurethane/polylactide blend

The biodegradable polyurethane/polylactide blend was treated with low temperature hydrogen peroxide plasma, ethylene oxide and immersing in ethanol combined with ultraviolet radiation. The samples sterilized by hydrogen peroxide and ethylene oxide stood practically unaffected, while UV/EtOH caused distinct changes in their mechanical properties. For example the significant reduction of tensile strength occurred, elongation at break became twice lower, while the Young’s modulus increased by 23%. The XPS measurements showed that after all types of treatment atomic carbon and nitrogen concentrations in the surface layer was slightly lower than in the bulk. Instead the surface layer was more enriched with oxygen. Ethylene oxide sterilization caused that both surfaces became more hydrophobic i.e. the contact angle increased about 15% for the top surface and 8% for the bottom surface, respectively. Sterilization with ethanol and UV radiation changed the nature of surface into more hydrophilic, the contact angle of the top surface was reduced about 6% and the bottom about 24%. The FT-IR spectra of all sterilized samples were recorded and discussed. From all used sterilization methods only hydrogen peroxide plasma is fully suitable for biodegradable PU/PLA blend.