Poly(sebacoyl diglyceride) Cross-Linked by Dynamic Hydrogen Bonds: A Self-Healing and Functionalizable Thermoplastic...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Biodegradable and biocompatible elastomers (bioelastomers) are crucial for biomedical applications due to their ability to mimic natural tissue mechanics.
• Existing bioelastomers often lack tunable properties, easy processing, facile biofunctionalization, and resilience in dynamic mechanical environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop novel dynamic hydrogen-bond cross-linked bioelastomers with enhanced properties for biomedical use.
• To address the limitations of current bioelastomers regarding tunability, processability, and functionalization.

Main Methods:

• Grafting 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinones (UPy) units, featuring quadruple hydrogen bonds, onto poly(sebacoyl diglyceride) (PSeD).
• Characterizing the mechanical properties, self-healing ability, processability, and functionalization potential of the resulting PSeD-U polymers.
• Comparing PSeD-U properties with chemically cross-linked PSeD and parent PSeD/poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) materials.

Main Results:

• PSeD-U bioelastomers demonstrated superior mechanical strength compared to chemically cross-linked PSeD.
• Elasticity was tunable by adjusting the UPy content.
• Fast self-healing (<30 min at 60 °C) and versatile processing (90-100 °C or room temperature solvent casting) were achieved.
• Facile functionalization was confirmed via modification with FITC, utilizing free hydroxyl groups.

Conclusions:

• The developed PSeD-U bioelastomers offer a promising platform for advanced biomedical applications.
• These materials overcome key limitations of existing bioelastomers, providing tunable mechanics, processability, and self-healing.
• The facile functionalization opens avenues for creating sophisticated, responsive biomaterials.