Designing biodegradable multiblock PCL/PLA thermoplastic elastomers

A series of poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(L-lactic acid) (PCL/PLA) biodegradable poly(ester-urethane)s, was synthesized and characterized. The first step of the synthesis consisted of the ring opening polymerization of L-lactide, initiated by the hydroxyl terminal groups of the PCL chain, followed by th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biomaterials 2005-05, Vol.26 (15), p.2297-2305
Main Authors: Cohn, D., Hotovely Salomon, A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorbable Implants
Biocompatible Materials - analysis
Biocompatible Materials - chemistry
Biodegradation
Copolymer
Elasticity
Elastomer
Elastomers - chemistry
Materials Testing
Molecular Weight
Plastics - chemistry
Poly(caprolactone)
Poly(lactic acid)
Polyesters - analysis
Polyesters - chemistry
Surface Properties
Temperature
Tensile Strength
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Summary:A series of poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(L-lactic acid) (PCL/PLA) biodegradable poly(ester-urethane)s, was synthesized and characterized. The first step of the synthesis consisted of the ring opening polymerization of L-lactide, initiated by the hydroxyl terminal groups of the PCL chain, followed by the chain extension of these PLA-PCL-PLA triblocks, using hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). The trimers comprised PCL2000 flexible segments, while the length of each PLA block covered the 550–6000molecular weight range. The morphology of the copolymers gradually changed, as the length of the PLA blocks increased. The multiblock copolymers produced displayed enhanced mechanical properties, with ultimate tensile strength values around 32MPa, Young's modulus as low as 30MPa and elongation at break values well above 600%. The longer the PLA block, the slower the in vitro degradation of the material, with all copolymers degrading faster than the respective homopolymers.
ISSN:0142-9612
1878-5905
DOI:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2004.07.052