Melt-processable hydrophobic acrylonitrile-based copolymer systems with adjustable elastic properties designed for...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Acrylonitrile-based polymer systems (PAN) are explored as biomaterials for applications like membranes and skin reconstruction.
• Existing PAN copolymers are often solution-processed and sensitive to heat, limiting their applications.
• There is a need for hydrophobic, melt-processable PAN copolymers with adjustable properties for scaffold fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize hydrophobic, melt-processable acrylonitrile-based copolymers.
• To tailor elastic properties for creating model scaffolds with controlled pore geometry and size.
• To evaluate the cytotoxicity of the synthesized copolymers for biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Free radical copolymerization of acrylonitrile and n-butyl acrylate (nBA).
• Characterization using 1H-NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA).
• Mechanical testing (Young's modulus) and melt processing evaluation.
• Cytotoxicity testing (ISO 10993-5) with L929 cells.

Main Results:

• Copolymers with 45-70 wt% nBA content were synthesized.
• Glass transition temperature (Tg) decreased from 58°C to 20°C with increasing nBA content.
• Young's modulus significantly decreased from 1062 MPa to 1.2 MPa with increasing nBA content.
• Melt processing was successful between 50°C and 170°C, with decomposition above 320°C.
• Non-toxic effects on cell membrane integrity and mitochondrial activity were observed, though cell morphology differed from polystyrene control.

Conclusions:

• Melt-processable, hydrophobic P(AN-co-nBA) copolymers with tunable mechanical properties were successfully synthesized.
• These copolymers are suitable for melt processing into scaffolds with controlled geometry.
• The materials show potential for in vitro investigations of tissue growth kinetics due to their non-toxic profile.