Toughened Poly(lactic acid)/BEP Composites with Good Biodegradability and Cytocompatibility

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer with potential for biomedical applications.
• However, neat PLA suffers from poor toughness and limited biodegradability.
• Enhancing PLA properties is crucial for expanding its use in advanced materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop advanced poly(lactic acid)/biodegradable elastomer particle (PLA/BEP) composites.
• To improve the toughness, biodegradability, and cytocompatibility of PLA.
• To explore new avenues for PLA-based advanced materials, particularly for biomedical uses.

Main Methods:

• Biodegradable elastomer particles (BEP) were synthesized using melt polycondensation, emulsification, and irradiation vulcanization.
• PLA/BEP composites were prepared via melt blending technology.
• Mechanical properties, biodegradation rates, crystallinity, and cytocompatibility (MTT assay) were evaluated.

Main Results:

• PLA/BEP composites exhibited significantly enhanced elongation at break (67.1% vs. 2.9%) and notched impact strength (7.24 kJ/m² vs. 3.01 kJ/m²).
• Biodegradation rates in soil and lipase solution increased dramatically.
• Crystallization rate and crystallinity were significantly improved compared to neat PLA.
• MTT assays confirmed good cytocompatibility, with L929 cell viability over 75%.

Conclusions:

• The developed PLA/BEP composites demonstrate superior toughness, biodegradability, and cytocompatibility compared to neat PLA.
• The incorporation of BEP offers a promising strategy for creating advanced PLA materials.
• These findings open potential pathways for advanced PLA products, especially in the biomedical field.