Synthesis and electrospun fiber mats of low Tg poly(propylene fumerate‐co‐propylene maleate)

Abstract

AbstractMany publications have examined the biodegradable polymer poly(propylene fumate) (PPF) for use in tissue engineering applications. We have examined a similar crosslinkable polymer system, poly(propylene fumerate)‐co‐(propylene maleate) (PPFcPM), derived from maleic anhydride (MA) and 1,2‐propylene diol (PD). This copolymer system uses a less expensive monomer as well as leads to varied ratios of fumerate to maleate groups, allowing tuning of the crosslinked polymer properties such as degradation rate. Two different reaction conditions were used to synthesize the copolymer from MA and PD. In the first case (Method A), toluene was used as a solvent to azeotropically (85°C) remove water to drive the acid catalyzed esterification reaction. In the second case (Method B), the initial ring opening reaction was conducted, followed by addition of catalyst and removal of water to produce polymer of higher molecular weight. Both polymer systems had glass transition temperatures (Tg) below room temperature. The low Tg PPFcPM was dissolved in chloroform along with the photoinitiator phenylbis(2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoyl)‐phosphine oxide (BAPO) and electrospun. The polymer fibers were crosslinked soon after they formed to produce noncalendaring 3D porous scaffolds. Control experiments without the BAPO photoinitiator did not produce fiber mats. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010