Furan-containing biobased polyurethane nanofibers: A new versatile and green support clickable via Diels-Alder reaction

Abstract

A new biobased polyurethane formulation containing furan was synthesized and subsequently functionalized and de-functionalized via Diels-Alder and retro Diels-Alder reactions. Furan was inserted in the backbone polymer using 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)furan as chain extender. At the same time, another composition not containing furan was synthesized as reference. Both formulations were produced initially as films and then processed using electrospinning to obtain nanofibers membranes. The absence of catalysts, the high renewable content, the facile synthesis and spinnability of the polymer allow a quantitative and green production of versatile functionalizable platforms. The kinetic and efficiency of the functionalization were assessed using two different compounds: Fluorescein-5-maleimide and 3-Maleimidopropanoic acid. The high hydrophobicity of the membranes permits to perform the functionalization reactions in water, resulting in a process that minimally affects the membrane integrity which is, at the same time, environmental-friendly. Finally, the good biocompatibility opens the way for its use as biomedical tissue, widening the range of possible application of this material.