A Bio Polymeric Adhesive Produced by Photo Cross-Linkable Technique

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Photo-polymerization offers advantages over thermal methods, including speed, low energy use, solvent-free conditions, and room temperature application.
• Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a versatile biodegradable polymer with potential in biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel polycaprolactone (PCL) macromer using photo-crosslinking.
• To evaluate the potential of the synthesized macromer as a medical adhesive.

Main Methods:

• Polycaprolactone (PCL) was cross-linked with 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate using ultraviolet (UV) light.
• Characterization included swelling capacity, adhesive capacity, surface energy (contact angle), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), thermogravimetry (TGA), and thermomorphology.
• Cross-linking degree was assessed via swelling and UV irradiation time.

Main Results:

• The synthesized PCL macromer was successfully prepared and characterized.
• The material demonstrated effective adhesive properties on aminated substrates.
• Analysis confirmed the formation of a cross-linked network suitable for membrane fabrication.

Conclusions:

• The photo-crosslinked PCL macromer is a viable precursor for effective medical adhesive membranes.
• The study highlights the advantages of UV-initiated polymerization for creating advanced biomaterials.
• The developed macromer shows significant potential for applications requiring rapid, room-temperature curable adhesives.