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

4 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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