TUNED MECHANICAL PROPERTIES ACHIEVED BY VARYING POLYMER STRUCTURE — KNOWLEDGE THAT GENERATES NEW MATERIALS FOR TISSUE ENGINEERING

By changing both the monomer composition and the polymer structure, we have varied the mechanical properties of resorbable polymers. The polymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization using L-lactide （LLA）, ε-caprolactone （εCL）, trimethylene carbonate （TMC） and 1,5-dioxepan-2-one （DXO） as monomers. Well-defined triblock copolymers, microblock copolymers and networks have been evaluated, and comparisons between them show that it is possible to tune the mechanical properties. Triblock copolymers with an amorphous middle block of poly（1,5-dioxepan-2- one） （PDXO） and semi-crystalline end-blocks of poly（ε-caprolactone） （PCL） were stronger and had a higher strain at break than triblock copolymers with poly（L-lactide） （PLLA） as end-blocks. Polymers with both DXO and TMC in the amorphous middle-block and PLLA as end-blocks showed a lower stress at break, but the material gained elasticity, a property which is very valuable in tissue engineering. Mechanical properties of networks, synthesized by a novel method, containing PDXO and PCL are also presented. Although it is difficult to compare them with the uncross-linked polymers, this is an additional way to modify and widen the properties.     

A High Efficiency PDMS-Based Stabilizer for Dispersion Polymerization of L-lactide in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Dispersion polymerization of lactides and lactones has been studied and has received a great deal of attention used to prepare biodegradable polymers in supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO₂). The triblock copolymers of poly(?-caprolactone) PCL-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-poly(?-caprolactone) PCL by the feed ratio of 1:2:1 and 1:3:1, respectively were synthesized to be used as the stabilizers in the dispersion polymerization of L-lactide. The fine poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) powders were obtained at the concentrations of 3% to 5%w/w (stabilizer/monomer). The results demonstrated that the triblock copolymers were the effective stabilizers for the dispersion polymerization of L-lactide. It was also found that the cooling process had a significant effect on the particle size of the fine powders. In order to obtain the best PLLA powders, it would be necessary to use the cooling process with stirring.     

Biomimetic polymer/apatite composite scaffolds for mineralized tissue engineering

The material surface must be considered in the design of scaffolds for bone tissue engineering so that it supports bone cells adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. A biomimetic approach has been developed as a 3D surface modification technique to grow partially carbonated hydroxyapatite (the bonelike mineral) in prefabricated, porous, polymer scaffolds using a simulated body fluid in our lab. For the rational design of scaffolding materials and optimization of the biomimetic process, this work focused on various materials and processing parameters in relation to apatite formation on 3D polymer scaffolds. The apatite nucleation and growth in the internal pores of poly(L-lactide) and poly(D,L-lactide) scaffolds were significantly faster than in those of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds in simulated body fluids. The apatite distribution was significantly more uniform in the poly(L-lactide) scaffolds than in the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds. After incubation in a simulated body fluid for 30 d, the mass of poly(L-lactide) scaffolds increased approximately 40%, whereas the mass of the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds increased by about 15% (see Figure). A higher ionic concentration and higher pH value of the simulated body fluid enhanced apatite formation. The effects of surface functional groups on apatite nucleation and growth were found to be more complex in 3D scaffolds than on 2D films. Surprisingly enough, it was found that carboxyl groups significantly reduced the apatite formation, especially on the internal pore surfaces of 3D scaffolds. These findings are critically important in the rational selection of materials and surface design of 3D scaffolds for mineralized tissue engineering and may contribute to the understanding of biomineralization as well.SEM micrograph of a poly(L-lactide) scaffold.     

Surface functionalization of porous resorbable scaffolds by covalent grafting

Resorbable porous scaffold discs and solid films were prepared from poly[(1,5-dioxepan-2-one)-co-(L-lactide)] and poly[(epsilon-caprolactone)-co-(L-lactide)]. The surfaces of the scaffolds were functionalized to increase their hydrophilicity. A total of 90 samples were prepared to cover all important combinations of experimental and material factors, and all experimental data were fitted by a partial least square model. As a result of grafting, the porous discs and solid films exhibited a tremendous increase in wettability. The functionalized discs were hygroscopic so that water was instantly absorbed and thoroughly wet the substrates.     

A Facile Photo-cross-linking Method for Polymer Gate Dielectrics and Their Applications in Fully Solution Processed Low Voltage Organic Field-effect Transistors on Plastic Substrate

A simple and effective photochemical method was developed for cross-linking of polymer gate dielectrics.Laborious synthetic processes for functionalizing polymer dielectrics with photo-cross-linkable groups were avoided.The photo-cross-linker,BBP-4,was added into host polymers by simple solution blending process,which was capable of abstracting hydrogen atoms from polymers containing active C―H groups upon exposure to ultraviolet(UV) radiation.The cross-linking can be completed with a relatively long wavelength UV light(365 nm).The approach has been applied to methacrylate and styrenic polymers such as commercial poly(methylmethacrylate)(PMMA),poly(iso-butylmethacrylate)(Pi BMA) and poly(4-methylstyrene)(PMS).The cross-linked networks enhanced dielectric properties and solvent resistance of the thin films.The bottom-gate organic field-effect transistors(OFETs) through all solution processes on plastic substrate were fabricated.The OFET devices showed low voltage operation and steep subthreshold swing at relatively small gate dielectric capacitance.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Biodegradable Poly(ϵ-caprolactone)-b-Poly(L-lactide) and Study on Their Electrospun Scaffolds

A series of multi-block copolymers, poly(L-lactide)-b-poly (?-caprolactone) (PLLA-b-PCL) were synthesized. The first step of the synthesis consisted of the transesterification between the PLLA and 1,4-Butanediol, followed by the copolymerization of PLLA-diols and PCL, using isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) as a coupling agent. The synthesized polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). PLLA/PCL block copolymers were electrospun into ultrafine fibers. The morphology of the electrospun fibrous scaffolds were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results showed that the morphology and diameter of the fibers were affected by the electrospinning solution concentrationan and different weight ratio of PLLA/PCL. These electrospun PLLA-b-PCL fibrous membranes exhibited good flexibility and deformability. In comparison with the electrospun PLLA membrane, the electrospun fibrous membranes of PLLA-b-PCL demonstrated an enhanced elongation with still high tensile strength and Young's modulus to be beneficial for tissue engineering scaffolds.     

Effects of electrolyte and pH on the behavior of cross-linked films of ferrocene-modified poly(ethylenimine)

Ferrocene redox polymers based on the coupling of ferrocenecarboxaldehyde to both linear and branched poly(ethylenimine) (PEI) have been prepared to investigate the effects of pH, electrolyte, and cross-linking on electron charge transport and film swelling. The redox behavior of both ferrocene-modified linear PEI and ferrocene-modified branched PEI was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, while electron diffusion coefficients reported for PEI-based redox polymers were determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In phosphate solutions at pH>7, cross-linked films of both redox polymers exhibited multiple redox wave behavior and were unstable. In contrast, in non-phosphate solutions, cross-linked films exhibited stable electrochemical behavior and fast electron transfer in solutions with pH<11. Gel swelling experiments suggested that the multiple wave behavior and instability exhibited in either phosphate solutions or at high pH in non-phosphate solutions were related to a combination of film collapse and electrolyte binding within the hydrogel. The electron diffusion coefficients for these polymers are on the order of 10-8 (mol cm(-2) s(-1/2)), which are approximately 40 times greater than other ferrocene-modified polymers. Incorporation of the enzyme, glucose oxidase, into these films demonstrated that these redox polymers were able to electrically communicate with the enzyme's flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) redox centers. Glucose sensors based on these films exhibited enzyme saturation current densities that ranged from 240 to 480 microA/cm2 in response to glucose, which were dependent upon the supporting electrolyte and pH. The sensitivity of these sensors at 5 mM glucose ranged from 10 to 48 microA.cm(-2).mM(-1).     

Synthesis of D,L-Lactide–ε-Caprolactone Copolymers and Preparation of Films Based on Them

D,L-Lactide–ε-caprolactone copolymers were synthesized by polymerization in the bulk. Films of these copolymers were prepared, and their strain properties and degradation rate under physiological conditions were studied. Introduction of ε-caprolactone into the copolymer increases the film elasticity and decreases the degradation rate compared to poly(D,L-lactide) homopolymer, and also favors spreading of human keratinocytes. The films obtained can be used for treatment of wounds and burns.     

Dielectric Characterization of Biopolymer/Poly(ϵ-Caprolactone) Hydrogels

The dielectric properties of a series of pure atelocollagen samples and of atelocollagen-based hydrogels long-range cross-linked with bifunctional poly(?-caprolactone) derivative, or further short-range cross-linked by UV irradiation, were discussed in relation to the cross-linking method, composition, and hierarchical assembly. Three main factors with significant influence on the electrical behavior, frequency, temperature, and moisture content, are analyzed in detail.     

Hydrogel characteristics of electron-beam-immobilized poly(vinylpyrrolidone) films on poly(ethylene terephthalate) supports

A novel strategy for the preparation of thin hydrogel coatings on top of polymer bulk materials was elaborated for the example of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) surfaces layered with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP). PVP layers were deposited on PET foils or SiO2 surfaces (silicon wafer or glass coverslips) precoated with PET and subsequently cross-linked by electron beam treatment. The obtained films were characterized by ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and electrokinetic measurements. Ellipsometric experiments and AFM force-distance measurements showed that the cross-linked layers swell in aqueous solutions by a factor of about 7. Electrokinetic experiments indicated a strong hydrodynamic shielding of the charge of the underlying PET layer by the hydrogel coatings and further proved that the swollen films were stable against shear stress and variation of pH. In conclusion, electron beam cross-linking ofpreadsorbed hydrophilic polymers permits a durable fixation of swellable polymer networks on polymer supports which can be adapted to materials in a wide variety of shapes.     

Porous thin films based on photo-cross-linked star-shaped poly(D,L-lactide)s

Self-assembly processes and subsequent photo-cross-linking were used to generate cross-linked, ordered microporous structures on the surfaces of well defined four-arm star-shaped poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) thin films. The four-arm star-shaped PDLLAs were synthesized using an ethoxylated pentaerythritol initiator. Solutions of the PDLLAs were cast in a humid environment, and upon solvent evaporation, ordered honeycomb structures (or breath figures) were obtained. Correlations between molar mass, polymer solution viscosity, and pore dimensions were established. The average pore dimension decreased with increasing polymer solution concentration, and a linear relationship was observed between relative humidity and average pore dimensions. Highly ordered microporous structures were also developed on four-arm star-shaped methacrylate-modified PDLLA (PDLLA-UM) thin films. Subsequent photo-cross-linking resulted in more stable PDLLA porous films. The photo-cross-linked films were insoluble, and the honeycomb structures were retained despite solvent exposure. Free-standing, structured PDLLA-UM thin films were obtained upon drying for 24 h. Ordered microporous films based on biocompatible and biodegradable polymers, such as PDLLA, offer potential applications in biosensing and biomedical applications.     

Novel strategy for tailoring of SiO2 and TiO2 nanoparticle surfaces with poly(ε-caprolactone)

A novel strategy was developed for tailoring of SiO₂ and TiO₂ nanoparticle surfaces with poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). Thus, a self-curable polyester, poly(2-hydroxypropylene maleate) was adsorbed on the nanoparticle surfaces and heated to 180 °C to give a cross-linked polyester layer with residual hydroxyalkyl groups on their surfaces. Surface-initiated polymerization of ε-caprolactone from hydroxyalkyl groups on the surfaces yielded core-shell nanoparticles with cross-linked core and PCL shells (22.2–71.4%). The organic shell layers around the nanoparticle cores were evidenced by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and thermogravimetric analyses techniques. The core-shell nanoparticles were then employed in preparing the stable and the homogenous dispersions with poly(methyl methacrylate-stat-butyl acrylate) solutions. An application of the solutions onto glass substrates yielded uniform and nearly transparent free standing films (40–60 μm) with good homogeneity as inferred from scanning electron microscopy pictures.     

可交联且可生物降解的高分子膜

高分子膜在生物医用、电子器件、食品包装,以及气体分离等领域有着广泛的应用。实际应用中往往通过交联提高其稳定性、强度等性能。然而,传统的交联高分子膜材料在温和环境下难以降解。针对这一挑战,本文分别基于聚(α-(肉桂酰氧基甲基)-1, 2, 3-三唑)己内酯(PCTCL₁₃₃)及其与己内酯(CL)的无规共聚物P(CL₁₅₆-stat-CTCL₂₈),通过溶液浇铸法制备了两种可交联且可生物降解的高分子膜。由于肉桂酸酯侧链阻止了PCL主链的结晶,因此PCTCL₁₃₃均聚物可形成透明膜,而P(CL₁₅₆-stat-CL₂₈)无规共聚物则形成半透明膜。该高分子膜可进一步在紫外光照射下交联,而所形成的交联膜结构可以在酸催化下充分降解。理论上,这两种膜材料均可完全降解为分子量小于300 g∙mol⁻¹的产物。而通过调节聚合物中己内酯的重量百分数以及膜的交联度,可以有效调节其降解速率、透明度等性能。在此基础上,我们进一步通过分子动力学模拟探究了溶液浇铸过程中高分子的不同初始浓度对膜材料杨氏模量的影响。结果表明,随着初始浓度上升,由于分子链间的缠结程度升高,最终制备的膜材料具有更高的模量。因此,该可交联、可降解,且降解性能可调的高分子膜在生物医用领域具有一定的应用前景,并可拓展到其他领域以实现更为广泛的应用。     

官能团化聚己内酯的合成与表征

通过分子结构设计合成了新型含有侧基官能团的聚己内酯材料.首先,通过亲核加成反应,由溴乙酸乙酯与烯胺合成2-乙氧甲酰甲基环己酮;然后以间氯过氧化苯甲酸为氧化剂,通过Baeyer-Villiger氧化反应,得到带有官能团的己内酯单体,6-乙氧甲酰甲基-ε-己内酯;该单体在异辛酸亚锡(Sn(Oct)2)的催化下,本体开环聚合得到相应的均聚物及其与ε-己内酯的共聚物.采用1H-NMR、13C-NMR、GPC和DSC表征了聚合物的结构和热力学性能.随着6-乙氧甲酰甲基-ε-己内酯在共聚物中的含量增加,共聚物的分子量降低,同时熔点和熔融焓也随之降低.     

聚丙烯酸芴酯的电化学氧化交联反应及其表征

合成了侧链带有芴的聚丙烯酸芴酯(PFM),在含40%三氟化硼乙醚的二氯甲烷混合电解质溶液中,直接阳极氧化PFM获得了自支撑交联网状的聚(聚丙烯酸芴酯)(CPFM)薄膜.通过UV-Vis、FTIR和1H-NMR对CPFM结构进行了表征.荧光光谱表明得到的聚合物薄膜CPFM在415nm附近处具有强的荧光发射峰,表明聚丙烯酸结构的引入没有影响聚芴的蓝色发光性能并有利于提高聚合物薄膜的力学性能.TGA表明得到的CPFM薄膜具有良好的热稳定性。     

Thermal and dynamic mechanical analysis of cross-linked poly(esterurethanes)

New cross-linked poly(esterurethanes) (PEU) based on unsaturated olygo(alkyleneester)diol (OAE), 4,4’-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and styrene or methyl methacrylate as curing monomers were prepared. The synthesis of PEU was performed in two steps. In the first step OAE was obtained from adipic acid, maleic anhydride and ethylene glycol. In the second step a prepolymer was obtained in a reaction of OAE with different amounts of 4,4’-diphenylmethane diisocyanate followed by crosslinking using previously mentioned curing monomers. The influence of structure of the poly(esterurethanes) on thermal and dynamic mechanical properties is studied. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that cross-linked poly(esterurethanes) demonstrate high thermal stability. Moreover the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis shows that the presence of styrene cross-linking chains in polymers lead to the phase separation in cross-linked poly(esterurethanes).     

Novel interpenetrating smart polymer networks grafted onto polypropylene by gamma radiation for loading and delivery of vancomycin

Gamma radiation was used in every step of the synthesis of a sequential interpenetrating polymer network made of two “smart” polymers: poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) and poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm), the latter grafted onto polypropylene (PP) films (PP-g-PNIPAAm) with the aim of developing medicated coatings for medical devices. Three steps were followed for obtaining net-PP-g-PNIPAAm-inter-net-PAAc: graft copolymerization of PNIPAAm onto PP films by gamma pre-irradiation oxidative method, cross-linking of PP-g-PNIPAAm by gamma irradiation in water to form the first network, with or without N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBAAm), and finally the formation of the second network through the polymerization and cross-linking of AAc inside cross-linked PP-g-PNIPAAm by a low gamma radiation dose of 2.5 kGy. The films were characterized regarding the amount of grafted polymers and their composition (FTIR-ATR), thermal behavior (DSC), temperature- and pH-responsive swelling and contact angle (critical pH 6 and lower critical solution temperature ∼33 °C), and loading and release rate of vancomycin. Drug loading was driven by specific interactions between vancomycin and PAAc. Drug-loaded films sustained the delivery for several hours at pH 7.4 and provided release rate values adequate for killing bacteria attempting to adhere the surface of the films.     

Synthesis and physical properties of poly(aryl ether)s containing diphenylacetylene moieties

Poly(aryl ether)s containing diphenylacetylene moieties in the backbone have been synthesized. When the polymers are heated an exothermic reaction, resulting from reaction of the acetylene units, occurs in the range 380- 434°C and the polymers undergo a cross-linking reaction. Polymers cross-linked at 340°C exhibit Tg increases from 2°C to complete disappearance of the Tg depending on the concentration of the diphenylacetylene group which has been incorporated into the polymer. In most cases films of the cross-linked polymers are still flexible and exhibit Young's moduli in the range 1.2-2.1 GPa at 200°C. The solubility or the amount of swelling of these cross-linked polymers in solvents depends on the mol % of diphenylacetylene groups incorporated in the polymer backbone. Copolymers have also been synthesized.     

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) and Poly(lactide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)

Summary: This study reported the preparation and characterization of PCL-b-mPEG (poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)) and PLL-b-mPEG (poly(L-lactide)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)) diblock copolymers by microwave heating and comparison of resulted products the ones with prepared by conventional heating. Diblock copolymers were synthesized successfully by the microwave-assisted ROP in the presence of stannous octoate (SnOct₂) as catalyst under nitrogen atmosphere in different monomer ratios. Structural and functional characterization of copolymers were performed by FTIR, ¹H-NMR and DSC. Molecular weight values were determined by GPC and also calculated from ¹H-NMR. According to the results, microwave irradiation allowed to obtain polymers with very narrow size distribution in very short reaction time. Similar polymers prepared by conventional heating were also synthesized for comparison. Molecular weight and conversion of polymers were increased by irradiation time. This change was continued until a certain time point after which no more increase was observed. It was concluded that microwave irradiation is a succesful method to obtain these diblock copolymers in very short reaction time and with a similar conversion obtained by conventional method.     

Alkaline and enzymatic degradation of L-lactide copolymers, 1. Amorphous-made films of L-lactide copolymers with D-lactide, glycolide, and epsilon-caprolactone

Films of poly(L-lactide) [i.e., poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA)] and L-lactide copolymers with glycolide [P(LLA-GA)(81/19)], epsilon-caprolactone [P(LLA-CL)(82/18)], D-lactide [P(LLA-DLA)(95/5), (77/23), and (50/50)] were prepared and a comparative study on the effects of comonomer type and content on alkaline and proteinase K-catalyzed hydrolyses of the films was carried out. The hydrolyzed films were investigated using gravimetry (weight loss and water absorption), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarimetry, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). To exclude the effects of molecular weight and crystallinity on the hydrolysis, the films were prepared from polymers having similar molecular weights and made amorphous by melt-quenching. It was found that incorporation of hydrophilic glycolide units in L-lactide chains raises the alkaline and enzymatic hydrolyzabilities, whereas incorporation of hydrophobic epsilon-caprolactone units in L-lactide chains reduces the alkaline and enzymatic hydrolyzabilities. On the other hand, incorporation of D-lactide units with the same hydrophilicity of L-lactide units increases the alkaline hydrolyzability but decreases the enzymatic hydrolyzability. The alkaline hydrolyzability of the films of L-lactide copolymers with different kinds of comonomers and P(LLA-DLA) with different D-lactide unit contents can be closely related to their hydrophilicity. On the other hand, the enzymatic hydrolyzability of L-lactide copolymer films with different kinds of comonomers is mainly determined by hydrophilicity, while that of P(LLA-DLA) films is determined by the averaged L-lactyl and D-lactyl unit sequence lengths. The catalytic effect of proteinase K relative to that of alkali on the hydrolysis of P(LLA-DLA)(77/23) and P(LLA-GA)(81/19) films normalized by that of PLLA was lower than unity, whereas the normalized relative catalytic effect of proteinase K on the hydrolysis of P(LLA-CL)(82/18) film was higher than unity, meaning that despite low absolute alkaline and enzymatic hydrolyzability of the P(LLA-CL)(82/18) film, the catalytic effect of proteinase K may be maintained for this copolymer film, probably because of its blocky structure.