title: Cross-linking characteristics and mechanical properties of an injectable biomaterial composed of polypropylene fumarate and polycaprolactone co-polymer.
abstract: In this work, a series of co-polymers of polypropylene fumarate-co-polycaprolactone (PPF-co-PCL) were synthesized via a three-step polycondensation reaction of oligomeric polypropylene fumarate (PPF) with polycaprolactone (PCL). The effects of PPF precursor molecular weight, PCL precursor molecular weight and PCL fraction in the co-polymer (PCL feed ratio) on the maximum cross-linking temperature, gelation time and mechanical properties of the cross-linked co-polymers were investigated. The maximum cross-linking temperature fell between 38.2 ± 0.3 and 47.2 ± 0.4°C, which increased with increasing PCL precursor molecular weight. The gelation time was between 4.2 ± 0.2 and 8.5 ± 0.7 min, and decreased with increasing PCL precursor molecular weight. The compressive moduli ranged from 44 ± 1.8 to 142 ± 7.4 MPa, with enhanced moduli at higher PPF precursor molecular weight and lower PCL feed ratio. The compressive toughness was in the range of 4.1 ± 0.3 and 17.1 ± 1.3 kJ/m(3). Our data suggest that the cross-linking and mechanical properties of PPF-co-PCL can be modulated by varying the composition. Therefore, the PPF-co-PCL co-polymers may offer increased versatility as an injectable, in situ polymerizable biomaterial than the individual polymers of PPF and PCL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, 107 Wenhua Xi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250014, PR China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Jianmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: M Brett
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Runge
authors.forename: Mahrokh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dadsetan
authors.forename: Qingshan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lichun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yaszemski
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D005650:Fumarates / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008422:Materials Testing; D015394:Molecular Structure; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005650:Fumarates; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011126:Polypropylenes; C016240:polycaprolactone