A new family of biodegradable functional cationic L-Arginine (L-Arg) poly (ester urea urethane) (Arg-PEUU) polymers was synthesized by the solution polycondensation of three monomers: L-Arg hydrochloride alkylene diester (Arg-x-Cl), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and glycerol cc-monoallyl ether (GAE). Chemical structures of Arg-x-Cl and the Arg-PEUU polymers were characterized by H NMR, FTIR, and carbon/nitrogen elemental analysis. The molecular weight of Arg-PEUU ranged from 23,900 to 29,400 kg/mol. The glass transition temperature (T-g) of Arg-PEUU ranged from -20.8 degrees C to 4.2 degrees C, depending on the feed ratio of the 3 monomers. The water contact angle of Arg-PEUU ranged from 26.7 +/- 4.3 degrees to 61.3 +/- 5.2 degrees. The Arg-PEUU had no cytotoxicity toward porcine aortic valve smooth muscle cells at low concentrations (0.1-0.2 mg/mL). Arg-PEUUs can be photo-crosslinked into elastic gels with compressive modulus ranged from 54.2 +/- 9.1 to 120.7 +/- 5.4 KPa. The biodegradation data (weight loss) of the Arg-PEUU in a lipase media suggested that the crosslinking density as well as the Arg-x-Cl contents in the functional Arg-PEUU had a profound impact on the biodegradation rate. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.