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 pentaerythrit...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Karikari, Afia S, Williams, Sharlene R, Heisey, Cheryl L, Rawlett, Adam M, Long, Timothy E
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
ASSEMBLY
BIODEGRADATION
BREATH FIGURES
CROSSLINKING(CHEMISTRY)
HIERARCHICAL ASSEMBLY
HONEYCOMB STRUCTURES
PHOTO-CROSS-LINKED
POLY-DL-LACTIDES(PDLLA)
Polymer Chemistry
POLYMERIC FILMS
POROUS MATERIALS
REPRINTS
SELF ASSEMBLY
STAR-SHAPED
THIN FILMS
VISCOSITY
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Summary: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. Published in Langmuir, v22 n23 p9687-9693, Nov 2006. Prepared in collaboration with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA. The original document contains color images.