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Fabrication of a Bioactive, PCL-based "Self-fitting" Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold
Published on: October 23, 2015
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[Synthesis and characterization of polylactide-based thermosetting polyurethanes with shape memory properties].
Shuo Shi1,2, Lin Gu1, Yihu Yang3
1Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, Zhejiang, China.
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese Journal of Biotechnology
|October 12, 2017
Summary
New bio-based thermosetting polyurethanes (Bio-PUs) offer enhanced thermal stability and mechanical properties. Synthesized using polylactide copolymers, these materials show promising shape memory effects and no cell toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Development of sustainable and high-performance polymers is crucial.
- Bio-based thermosetting polyurethanes (Bio-PUs) offer a promising alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel bio-based thermosetting polyurethanes (Bio-PUs).
- To evaluate the effect of polylactide (PLA) copolymer diols on the properties of Bio-PUs.
- To assess the mechanical performance, thermal stability, shape memory properties, and cytotoxicity of the developed Bio-PUs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of Bio-PUs via crosslinking of polylactide and its copolymer diols with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) trimer.
- Characterization using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA).
- Evaluation of mechanical properties using a universal tensile testing machine and assessment of cytotoxicity via alamar blue assay.
Main Results:
- Bio-PUs synthesized with PLA copolymer (P(LA-co-CL)) diols exhibited improved thermal stability and reduced glass transition temperature (Tg) compared to those with PLA diols.
- The P(LA-co-CL) based Bio-PUs demonstrated superior mechanical performance, with Young's modulus of 277.7 MPa and elongation at break of 230%.
- Excellent shape memory properties were observed, with a shape recovery time of 93 seconds at body temperature. Cytotoxicity tests confirmed no adverse effects on cells.
Conclusions:
- Polylactide copolymer diols enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of bio-based thermosetting polyurethanes.
- The developed Bio-PUs possess significant potential for applications requiring shape memory effects and biocompatibility.
- These findings contribute to the advancement of sustainable and functional biomaterials.
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