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Novel Superelastic Polyesters Based on 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid for Potential Use in Ophthalmic Surgery
Arianna Palumbo1, Gloria Astolfi2, Giulia Guidotti1
1Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM), University of Bologna, Via Terracini 28, 40131 Bologna, Italy.
Polymers
|December 11, 2025
Summary
New sustainable polyesters offer improved ophthalmic surgical sutures. These furan-based copolymers provide enhanced elasticity and recovery, addressing challenges like post-operative astigmatism from traditional non-absorbable sutures.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Ophthalmic Surgery
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Ophthalmic surgeries like keratoplasty and trabeculectomy are common.
- Non-absorbable sutures can cause complications such as astigmatism due to unequal tension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel superelastic polymeric materials for ophthalmic surgical sutures.
- To create sutures with improved stretchability and elastic recovery to mitigate post-operative complications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized novel furan-based polyesters: poly(pentamethylene furanoate) (PPeF) and poly(hexamethylene furanoate) (PHF).
- Created copolymers by physically and chemically mixing PPeF and PHF with varying block lengths.
- Characterized copolymers for molecular, thermal, mechanical, and surface wettability properties.
Main Results:
- Obtained sustainable furan-based copolymers with tunable properties based on block length.
- Demonstrated good long-term stability and cell viability for all materials.
- Observed significant mechanical recovery upon deformation in some copolymer formulations.
Conclusions:
- Novel sustainable furan-based polyesters present a promising alternative for ophthalmic surgical sutures.
- These materials offer tunable superelastic properties and excellent mechanical recovery.
- The developed copolymers have the potential to reduce post-operative complications in ophthalmic surgery.
