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Molecular mobility in biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) networks
R Sabater i Serra1, A Kyritsis, J L Escobar Ivirico
1Centre de Biomaterials i Enginyeria Tissular, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain. rsabater@die.upv.es
The European Physical Journal. E, Soft Matter
|May 4, 2011
Summary
This study explores poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) copolymer networks, revealing that hydrophilic units prevent PCL crystallization and enhance chain mobility. Water interactions were also analyzed.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) are versatile polymers with distinct properties.
- Tailoring polymer network hydrophilicity is crucial for various applications, including drug delivery and tissue engineering.
- Understanding the molecular interactions within copolymer networks is essential for predicting material performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural and dynamic properties of poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) copolymer networks.
- To analyze the impact of hydrophilic poly(hydroxyethyl acrylate) units on poly(ε-caprolactone) crystallization and chain mobility.
- To examine the influence of water content on the molecular behavior and domain interactions within the copolymer networks.
Main Methods:
- Thermally Stimulated Depolarization Currents (TSDC) for analyzing relaxation dynamics.
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) for investigating thermal transitions and phase behavior.
- Swelling studies with varying water content to probe hydration effects.
Main Results:
- Microphase separation into hydrophobic (PCL) and hydrophilic (PHEA) domains was observed.
- Poly(ε-caprolactone) crystallization was inhibited by topological constraints from HEA units.
- Enhanced mobility of amorphous PCL chains and a faster main relaxation process were detected.
- Glass transition temperatures of PHEA-rich domains decreased with increasing PCL content.
- Water molecule interactions with hydrophobic/hydrophilic domains were analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Copolymerization of PCL and PHEA effectively modifies network properties, preventing PCL crystallization and increasing chain mobility.
- The observed microphase separation and altered thermal transitions highlight the tunable nature of these copolymer networks.
- Investigating water interactions provides crucial insights into the molecular structure and potential applications of these materials in aqueous environments.
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