A series of xanthan gum/titanium dioxide-based polyurethane elastomers were synthesized through the prepolymer method by the step growth polymerization. In the present work, xanthan gum was used as a bioactive material, with TiO₂ as a nanofiller. The structural characterization of newly prepared polyurethane samples was carried out with the help of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric Analysis gave us the information about the thermal stability. Differential Scanning Calorimetry directs the thermal changes in the polyurethane samples. The Atomic Force Microscopy technique revealed that the degree of micro-phase separation increases by augmenting the % age of TiO₂, which was further confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction results. XRD confirmed the crystallinity of the final sample at about 2θ = 20°. Antimicrobial activity determined through the Disc Diffusion Method, and the results indicated that the synthesized polyurethane have antimicrobial activity. The water absorption capability of the polyurethane samples showed that these polymer samples are hydrophilic in nature.

A series of polyurethane (PU) nanocomposites incorporating polyurethane reinforced with carbon nanotubes (PUCNT), graphite (PUGRP), nano-diamonds (PUDMDS), nano-clay (PUCLY), and nano-silica (PUSIL) were successfully prepared, and their shape memory and thermo-mechanical properties were thoroughly analyzed. The molecular structure of the PU nanocomposites based on Hexamethylene diisocyanate / Polycaprolactone / 1,4-butanediol (HDI/PCL/BDO) was confirmed using FT-IR spectroscopy and NMR techniques. FT-IR confirmed the successful urethane linkage formation, while NMR verified the expected chemical structure. The XRD analysis revealed partial crystallinity suppression with homogeneous dispersion of nano-fillers. The SEM micrographs confirmed the uniform distribution of nanoparticles within the PU matrix without major agglomeration. Analysis of the thermal properties using DSC revealed that nano-fillers improved the glass transition temperature, melting temperature, and melting enthalpy of both the hard and soft segments, while TGA demonstrated enhanced thermal stability through increased degradation onset temperature. Furthermore, the incorporation of physical crosslinking agents was found to decrease the crystallization of the soft segment. The DMTA results showed increased storage modulus and reduced damping behavior, confirming redistricted chain mobility. Storage modulus curves highlighted improved stiffness, while tan delta curves demonstrated enhanced interfacial interactions and suppressed segmental relaxation. Notably, the addition of nano-fillers exhibited a significant enhancement in the shape memory effect, achieving remarkable shape recovery (98%) and shape retention (95%).