Structure-Property Relationships of 3D-Printable Chain-Extended Block Copolymers with Tunable Elasticity and Biodegradability

Ryung Il Kim, Geonchang Lee, Jung Hyun Lee, Ji Jong Park, Albert S. Lee, Seung Sang Hwang

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    8 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Elastomeric bioscaffolds with tunable elasticity and biodegradability were synthesized via ring opening polymerization of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactide (PLA) with a bifunctional polyethylene glycol macroinitiator, followed by chain extension with diisocyanate to form urethane linkages. Through fine tuning of the macroinitiator and PCL/PLA weight fraction and molecular weight, a data set of elastomeric bioscaffolds gives structure-property insights into their thermal, mechanical, and biodegradability properties as they relate to triblock copolymer composition and mechanical weight. These materials were targeted to be 3D-printed by commercial devices, and their unique rheological properties enable impeccable multiscale microstructure formation. Simplicity in synthesis and fabrication as well as tunable biodegradability (1 day to 2 months) and elasticity (modulus 32-94 MPa) suggest the vast wide-ranging utility and prospective application in bioscaffolds for future therapeutic treatments.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)4708-4716
    Number of pages9
    JournalACS Applied Polymer Materials
    Volume3
    Issue number9
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2021 Sept 10

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    This work was supported by the Fundamental R&D Program for Core Technology of Materials and the Industrial Strategic Technology Development Program funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Republic of Korea [20008734], the National R&D Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT [2018M3A9E2023257], and the institutional program of the Materials Architecturing Research Center of Korea Institute of Science and Technology.

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2021 American Chemical Society.

    Keywords

    • 3D printing
    • biodegradable polymers
    • bioelastomer
    • block copolymer
    • polyurethane

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Polymers and Plastics
    • Process Chemistry and Technology
    • Organic Chemistry

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