Polyurethane and Polyurethane Nanocomposites: Recent Contributions to Medicine

Polyurethane (PU) is a synthetic polymer obtained by polycondensation process of isocyanates and polyols, and for some cross-linked products with a third component as an extender. It is one of the most versatile macromolecular compounds, and it contains soft and hard segments. Beside (PU)'s physicomechanical and chemical properties, which make them suitable to be used in many engineering areas, they are biocompatible, biodegradable, bioabsorbant, and bioinert, characteristics which recommend them to be used in different medical areas. For instance, PUs and, more recently, their nanocomposites are used for wound dressing, antibacterials, tissue engineering, scaffolds, drug delivery, and even medical devices.