Copolymers of trimethylene carbonate and epsilon-caprolactone for porous nerve guides: Synthesis and properties

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2001

Authors

Pego, AP (Author) Other; Poot, AA (Author) Other; Grijpma, DW (Author) Other; Feijen, J (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition

Vol. 12

Pages: 35-53

ISSN: 0920-5063

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 109 Citations

Scopus - 111 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Environmental biotechnology

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-NH6

DOI: 10.1163/156856201744434

Abstract (EN): Copolymers of trimethylene carbonate and epsilon -caprolactone were synthesized and characterized with the aim of assessing their potential in the development of a flexible and slowly degrading artificial nerve guide for the bridging of large nerve defects. The effect of the monomer ratio on the physical properties of the polymers and its influence on the processability of the materials was investigated. Under the applied polymerization conditions (130 degreesC, 3 days using stannous octoate as a catalyst) high molecular weight polymers ((M) over bar (n) above 93 000) were obtained. All copolymers had glass transition temperatures below room temperature. At trimethylene carbonate contents higher than 25 mol% no crystallinity was detected. A decrease in crystallinity resulted in the loss of strength and decrease in toughness, as well as in an increased polymer wettability. Amorphous poly(trimethylene carbonate), however, showed excellent ultimate mechanical properties due to strain-induced crystallization (T-m = 36 degreesC). Low crystallinity copolymers could be processed into dimensionally stable porous structures by means of immersion precipitation and by combination of this technique with the use of porosifying agents. Porous membranes of poly(trimethylene carbonate) could be prepared when blended with small amounts of high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide). Poly(trimethylene carbonate) and poly(trimrthylene carbonate-co-epsilon -caprolactone) copolymers with high epsilon -caprolactone content possess good physical properties and are processable into porous structures. These materials are most suitable for the preparation of porous artificial nerve guides.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19