PCL Diol Research Articles

Toward flexible electronics: A novel polyurethane integrating self‐healing, UV‐protective, reprocessable, and degradable properties

AbstractFlexible electronics are striving in modern society, and they impose harsh and urgent requirements for flexibility on electronic package substrates. However, traditional materials, including ceramics, metals, or polymers are lack of flexibility. Herein, a polyurethane named PU‐D1Q1VF1 is proposed via incorporating carefully selected biobased units and synergistic dynamic bonds, and the PU‐D1Q1VF1 not only meets the basic requirements of flexibility but also possesses properties of self‐heal, UV‐protection, reprocessability, and degradability. The polycaprolactone diol (PCL diol) was employed as the soft segment, and the bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) disulfide (HEDS) and lignin derived model monomer hydroquinone were selected as chain extenders. Moreover, carefully synthesized bio‐based monomer (E)‐4‐(((furan‐2‐ylmethyl)imino)methyl)‐2‐methoxyphenol (VF) was used as the capping agent, which could facilitate the self‐healing process of the PU‐D1Q1VF1.

Influence of carbon nanotube functionalization on the physical properties of PCL diol/chitosan blends

AbstractBACKGROUNDChitosan‐poly(ε)caprolactone diol (PCL) blends were studied for food packaging film applications. The mechanical and thermal properties of blend films can be regulated with different amounts of PCL and the addition of a nanofiller could reinforce specific domains in the blend to generate nanocomposites with desirable properties for food packaging. This is evidence of the selective insertion of functionalized carbon nanotubes in either PCL or chitosan domains, depending on the nature of chemical groups and the structure over the surface nanofiller.RESULTSMultiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were functionalized with four different dendritic molecules and were tested as nanofillers to reinforce biodegradable films made from 70 to 30, 80 to 20, and 90 to 10 Chitosan‐PCL blends in an effort to explore their effects on the barrier and mechanical properties of the yielded nanocomposites. PCL was obtained by biocatalysis from ɛ‐caprolactone and diethylene glycol and then blended with commercial chitosan. Blends were prepared from a solution of chitosan in acetic acid (2% wt/wt), adding PCL diol in chloroform dropwise under stirring. The MWNTs were modified with several functional groups (tannic acid via no‐covalent functionalization, poly(citric acid), poly(urea‐urethane), and poly(amino‐amido) dendrimer). Nanocomposites were obtained by adding in situ 0.5 wt/wt functionalized MWNTs during the preparation of blends. The structural interactions, morphological, and mechanical features of MWNTs/Blend nanocomposites were studied by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), and strain–stress testing.CONCLUSIONSPreferential interactions between nanofiller and matrix strongly depend on the nature of the nanofiller and the amount of hydrogen bonding species. It was possible to reinforce a particular domain in the blend to generate nanocomposites with desirable/tunable properties by using complementary chemical groups onto MWNTs surface. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Synthesis and properties of polyurethane acrylate oligomer based on polycaprolactone diol

Abstract The polycaprolactone diol (PCL diol) was prepared by ring-opening polymerization method, with hydroquinone bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ether as the reactive initiator and ε-caprolactone as the monomer. The polyurethane acrylate (PUA) was prepared with the self-made PCL diol. Then, PUA was used to prepare the ultraviolet curable coatings. The structure and molecular weight of PCL diol was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel-permeation chromatography, and hydroxyl value titration. The performance of the cured coating film was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscope. The flexibility and hardness of the cured coating film were tested. The results showed that the narrow molecular weight PCL diol was successfully synthesized. The UV curing coating film had the optimal performance with a hardness of 3H, flexibility of 1.5 mm, abrasion resistance of 0.028 g−1, and adhesion of grade 1, all coating films showed good thermal properties.

Synthesis and characterization of semi-IPN hydrogels composed of sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate and poly(ε-caprolactone) diol for controlled drug delivery

Semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogel of sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate (Na-AMPS) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) diol for drug delivery applications was synthesized via free radical UV-photopolymerization technique using 2-hydroxy-4′-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-methylpropiophenone as an initiator and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) as a crosslinker. The hydrogels' chemical structure and internal morphology have been explored using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The influence of PCL diol and PEGDA concentrations on the synthesized semi-IPN hydrogel properties was investigated. The semi-IPN hydrogel can increase the elasticity of the hydrogel while simultaneously providing enough water uptake and water retention. Furthermore, the semi-IPN hydrogel was non-cytotoxic to mouse fibroblasts L929 cells. Finally, ciprofloxacin (CIP) was used as a model drug and was efficiently encapsulated into the semi-IPN hydrogels. Drug loading capacity was enhanced with increasing PCL diol and CIP content. It was also observed that the PCL diol and CIP contents had a marked influence on the release profiles. Thus, the rate of release could be designed by changing the Na-AMPS to PCL diol ratio and CIP content. Drug release was found to be both diffusion and swelling-controlled in accordance with the Fickian and non-Fickian transport mechanisms. In the light of the results obtained, their easy formability, their appropriate mechanical and physical properties make P(Na-AMPS)/PCL diol semi-IPN hydrogels are the potential candidates for use as drug carrier and controlled drug release materials in the biomedical field.

Synthesis of Poly(ε-caprolactone) Diacrylate for Micelle-Cross-Linked Sodium AMPS Hydrogel for Use as Controlled Drug Delivery Wound Dressing.

This study focuses on the synthesis of poly(ε-caprolactone) diacrylate (PCLDA) for the fabrication of micelle-cross-linked sodium AMPS wound dressing hydrogels. The novel synthetic approach of PCLDA is functionalizing a PCL diol with acrylic acid. The influences of varying the PCL diol/AA molar ratio and temperature on the suitable conditions for the synthesis of PCLDA are discussed. The hydrogel was synthesized through micellar copolymerization of sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate (Na-AMPS) as a basic monomer and PCLDA as a hydrophobic association monomer. In this study, an attempt was made to develop new hydrogel wound dressings meant for the release of antibacterial drugs (ciprofloxacin and silver sulfadiazine). The chemical structures, morphology, porosity, and water interaction of the hydrogels were characterized. The hydrogels' swelling ratio and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) showed a high swelling capacity (4688-10753%) and good WVTR (approximately 2000 g·m-2·day-1), which can be controlled through variation of the PCLDA concentration. The mechanical property results confirmed that PCLDA improved the mechanical properties of the hydrogel; the stress increased from 37 to 68 kPa, and the strain increased from 198 to 360% with increasing PCLDA (0-30% wt of Na-AMPS). These hydrogels presented no cytotoxicity based on over 70% cell viability responses (L929 fibroblasts) using an in vitro 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Additionally, the drug release mechanism, kinetic models, and antibacterial activity were determined. The results demonstrated that antibiotics were released from the hydrogel with a Fickian diffusion mechanism and antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). Based on the results obtained, and bearing in mind that further progress still needs to be made, the fabricated hydrogels show considerable potential for meeting the stringent property requirements of hydrogel wound dressings.

Fabrication of Biodegradable Polyurethane Foam Scaffolds with Customized Shapes and Controlled Mechanical Properties by Gas Foaming Technique

AbstractPoly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)‐based polyurethane (PU) foam scaffolds with different mechanical properties are fabricated using a gas foaming technique to use as porous substitutes for ear or bone with cartilage. PCL diol or triol is used as a polyol in PU foam for biocompatibility and biodegradation, with an aqueous gelatin solution as a blowing agent. The highly porous inner and outer structures of the scaffolds are developed by employing a silicone surfactant and sulfuric acid, respectively. The PU scaffolds prepared by PCL diol show ductile and flexible properties, whereas the PU scaffolds prepared by PCL triol exhibit high compression strength. In vitro test reveals the low toxicity of the PU scaffolds and the high ALP activity of MC3T3‐E1 cells in the PU scaffold prepared by PCL triol. By taking advantage of the difference in mechanical properties, customized PU scaffolds with ear or bone shapes are fabricated using a silicone mold. The PU scaffolds with two compartments of PCL diol and triol (corresponding to cartilage and bone, respectively) are fabricated as a substitute for bone with cartilage. It is believed that the PU scaffolds with highly porous structure and controlled mechanical properties have wide potential application for tissue engineering.

A polyurethane integrating self-healing, anti-aging and controlled degradation for durable and eco-friendly E-skin

Two of the very important demands for the elastic matrix of electronic skin (E-skin) are durability and degradability, which ensure the stable performance in daily life and green end of the E-skin. Unfortunately, these two requirements are usually incompatible. Here, we proposed the idea of controlled degradation and synthesized a polyurethane, AL-PU-4, to solve such challenge. High crystalline hydroxy-terminated poly (1,4-butylene adipate) (HTPBA) and low crystalline polycaprolactone diol (PCL diol) were mixed and used as the degradable soft segment. The dynamic disulfide bond was chosen as the chain extender, which could simultaneously endow the polyurethane with anti-aging and self-healing properties. The AL-PU-4 didn’t show significant loss in mechanical and molecular weight after 12 days of accelerated aging experiment, which equaled to 12 months of daily use, and it owned a fast room temperature self-healing speed of 1.31 μm/min. With the steric protection of the hard segment, the degradation of ester bonds in HTPBA and PCL diol segments was seriously retarded under enzymatic and low pH conditions. Only when the pH reached 14, the ‘lock’ on degradation was opened. The above functionalities were also verified in an E-skin demo, which could response the external pressure quickly and show high stability in cyclic test.

Preparation of body-temperature-triggered shape-memory polyurethane with biocompatibility using isosorbide and castor oil

Shape memory polyurethanes (SMPUs) have attracted much attention in the biomedical field because they can easily control the transition temperature (Ttrans) to shape memory and are biocompatible. In this study, a shape memory polyurethane with both biocompatibility and a Ttrans close to the body temperature was synthesized by using natural derivatives of isosorbide and castor oil in place of petroleum-based materials. Isosorbide and castor oil were used to form net points, and polycaprolactone diol (PCL diol) acted as the switching segment. The synthesized four polyurethane (PCL diol/isosorbide/castor oil, PICU-1, 2, 3, 4) with different isosorbide contents exhibited desired thermal and mechanical properties. In the thermo-cyclic shape memory testing experiment, the PICU series demonstrated good shape memory property, with more than 95% shape recovery ratio (Rr) and more than 90% shape fixity ratio (Rf), and PICU-3 recovered its shape within 20 s in a 37 °C water bath. In addition, the PICU series proved to be safe materials with excellent biocompatibility, as indicated by the observed C2C12 cells viability and proliferation. The stent made with the PICU-3 film showed near complete magnetization at 37 °C within 18 s and proved to be a suitable self-expanding stent.

Synthesis and Formulation of PCL-Based Urethane Acrylates for DLP 3D Printers.

In this study, three PCL-based polyurethane acrylates were synthesized and further formulated into twelve resins for digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing. Three PCL diols with different molecular weights were synthesized via ring-opening reaction of ε-caprolactone on diethylene glycol, with the catalyst stannous octoate. Isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) was reacted with 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (2-HEA) and the PCL diols form PCL-based polyurethane acrylates. Twelve resins composed of different percentages of PCL-based polyurethane acrylates, poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), propylene glycol (PPG) and photo-initiator were further printed from a DLP 3D printer. The viscosities of twelve resins decreased by 10 times and became printable after adding 30% of PEGDA. The degree of conversion for the twelve resins can reach more than 80% after the post-curing process. By changing the amount of PEGDA and PPG, the mechanical properties of the twelve resins could be adjusted. PUA530-PEG-PPG (70:30:0), PUA800-PEG-PPG (70:30:0), and PUA1000-PEG-PPG (70:30:0) were successfully printed into customized tissue scaffolds. Twelve PCL-based polyurethane photo-curable resins with tunable mechanical properties, cytotoxicity, and degradability were successfully prepared. With the DLP 3D printing technique, a complex structure could be achieved. These resins have great potential for customized tissue engineering and other biomedical application.

Synthesis, surface wettability, and thermal property of poly(ε-caprolactone)-based polyurethane bearing triethylene glycol monomethyl as side chain

The present work describes the macromolecular design, synthesis, and study on the surface wettability and thermal property of a triethylene glycol monomethyl (TEGM) functionalized poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) based polyurethane. For the synthesis of the target polyurethane, a highly hydrophilic diol with a triethylene glycol monomethyl (TEGM) side chain, namely 2-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)methyl-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol (1), was first designed and used as the initiator of the diphenyl phosphate (DPP) catalyzed ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL). The DPP-catalyzed ROP of ε-CL using 1 as an initiator afforded well-defined α,ω-hydroxyl end-functionalized PCL (PCL diol) with the TEGM side chain at the center of PCL main chain. The resulting PCL diol was further subjected to undergo polyaddition reaction with diisocyanates, such as hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), eventually producing the desired PCL-based polyurethane bearing TEGM side chains. For the control experiments, the DPP-catalyzed ROPs of ε-CL using ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol as the initiators were also carried out accordingly. The structural information about the obtained polymers has been thoroughly characterized by 1H NMR, GPC, and FT-IR measurements. The surface wettability and thermal properties have been investigated by optical contact angle measurement and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), respectively.

Synthesis and Characterizations of Biodegradable Polyurethane Microspheres with Dexamethasone for Drug Delivery

This manuscript reports on the synthesis of biodegradable polyurethanes (PU) using poly(e-caprolactone) diol and fabrication of microspheres containing dexamethasone (DEX). Biodegradable PUs with different isocyanate ratios were successfully synthesized using PCL diol as a polyol. The PU with a high isocyanate ratio exhibited a low average molecular weight, high melting point, high Young’s modulus, low tensile strength, low elongation to break, low hydrolytic degradation rate, and fast release profile of DEX. These results can be used to optimize properties so as to be suitable for specific applications. Our next goal is to evaluate the performance of PU microspheres as an injectable cartilage filler through in vitro and in vivo studies. In addition, the biodegradable PUs can be used for tissue-engineered scaffolds using three-dimensional printing.

Fabrication of Polymer Micelles with Zwitterionic Shell and Biodegradable Core for Reductively Responsive Release of Doxorubicin.

To achieve a high stability in physiological environment and rapid intracellular drug release, a biodegradable zwitterionic triblock copolymer with a disulfide-linked poly-ε-caprolactone and polycarboxybetaine methacrylate (PCBMA-SS-PCL-SS-PCBMA) was prepared for micellar carrier to delivery doxorubicin (DOX) into tumor cells. PCBMA-SS-PCL-SS-PCBMA was obtained by following steps: i) introducing disulfide bonds through end-group modification of PCL diol with cystamine dihydrochloride; ii) preparing PCL-RAFT macromolecular chain transfer agent by EDC/NHS chemistry; iii) RAFT polymerization of zwitterionic monomer. Self-assembling from PCBMA-SS-PCL-SS-PCBMA, polymeric micelles had many advantages, such as ultra-low protein absorption in serum and obvious reduction-responsiveness in the presence of DTT. Furthermore, DOX-loaded micelles exhibited high stability upon centrifugation and lyophilization, a fast intracellular drug release and enhanced drug efficacy due to GSH-triggered PCBMA shell shedding and micellar reassembling. Thus, the polymeric micelles integrated several functions and properties could be prospectively utilized as valuable nanocarriers in cancer chemotherapeutics.

Linear Amphiphilic Polyglycidol/Poly(ε-caprolactone) Block Copolymers Prepared via “Click” Chemistry-Based Concept

We introduce a “click” chemistry-based concept for the preparation of amphiphilic block copolymers comprising linear polyglycidol (PG). Herein, a new class of linear polyglycidol/poly(e-caprolactone) (PG/PCL) block copolymers of precisely designed macromolecular characteristics and composition was synthesized to demonstrate the convenience of this strategy. Monohydroxyl poly(ethoxyethylglycidyl ether) (PEEGE) precursors were synthesized by ring-opening anionic polymerization of ethoxyethylglycidyl ether (EEGE) and subsequently functionalized with a “clickable” alkyne end group. In parallel, a bifunctional PCL diol was modified to an azide-terminated macroreagent. PG/PCL block copolymers were obtained by “click” coupling reaction of the alkyn- and azide-functional macroreagents in the presence of a CuBr/PMDETA catalytic complex and subsequent cleavage of the protective ethoxyethyl groups of PEEGE. The amphiphilic block copolymers were not directly soluble in water, and defined nano-sized micelles were obta...

Shape-Memory Nanofiber Meshes with Programmable Cell Orientation

In this work we report the rational design of temperature-responsive nanofiber meshes with shape-memory properties. Meshes were fabricated by electrospinning poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based polyurethane with varying ratios of soft (PCL diol) and hard [hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI)/1,4-butanediol (BD)] segments. By altering the PCL diol:HDI:BD molar ratio both shape-memory properties and mechanical properties could be readily turned and modulated. Though mechanical properties improved by increasing the hard to soft segment ratio, optimal shape-memory properties were obtained using a PCL/HDI/BD molar ratio of 1:4:3. Microscopically, the original nanofibrous structure could be deformed into and maintained in a temporary shape and later recover its original structure upon reheating. Even when deformed by 400%, a recovery rate of >89% was observed. Implementation of these shape memory nanofiber meshes as cell culture platforms revealed the unique ability to alter human mesenchymal stem cell alignment and orientation. Due to their biocompatible nature, temperature-responsivity, and ability to control cell alignment, we believe that these meshes may demonstrate great promise as biomedical applications.

A novel shape memory poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/hydroxyapatite nanoparticle networks for potential biomedical applications

A series of smart shape memory poly(ɛ-caprolactones) (PCL)/hydroxyapatite (HA) networks with different PCL arm lengths are designed and fabricated by the thiol-ene click reaction of thiol-modified HA particles with functional acrylate-terminated PCL. Compared with traditional physical blending of nanoparticles into polymer, this paper constructs a well-defined network architecture on the basis of the molecular level. Thermal and crystalline results indicate that the shape memory transition temperature (Ttrans) of the composites is correlated to the initial PCL diol molecular weight, the melting and crystallization temperature of the networks gradually increase with increasing PCL diol molecular weight. Meanwhile, the HA-PCL networks all exhibit good shape memory capability under thermal stimulus with good shape fixing ratio and recovery ratio irrespective of the molecular weight of PCL diol. An advantage of these network is that the intrinsic biocompatibility of HA nanoparticles as a netpoint for biodegradable PCL renders it a good prospects in the bone biomedical applications.

Synthesis, structure, and physical properties of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)‐block‐poly(caprolactone) copolymers

ABSTRACTThe series of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)‐block‐PCLT (PTT‐block‐PCLT) copolymers with different contents of PTT as rigid, and poly(caprolactone) (PCL) as flexible segments have been synthesized from dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), 1,3‐bio‐propanediol, and PCL diol) in a two‐step process involving transesterification and polycondensation in the melt. The weight amount of flexible PCLT segments varied from 0 (homopolymer PTT), 25, 35 to 45%. The molecular structure of the synthesized copolymers was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. According to Hoy's method, one confirmed that PTT and PCL are likely miscible, as the difference of the solubility parameters of PTT and PCL block pairs, equals to 3.15 MPa1/2. Moreover, the phase structure and mutual miscibility for the series of PTT‐block‐PCLT copolymers was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering measurements. In copolymers with 35 and 45 wt % of flexible segments, the crystalline phase is formed during annealing above glass‐transition temperature of copolymer. These copolymers during cooling at the standard rate do not crystallize. It was also found that incorporation of PCLT flexible segments, due to the macrophase separated structure, cause the decrease of the melting point and glass‐transition temperature, along with the tensile modulus and tensile strength of PTT‐block‐PCLT copolymers, and at the same time cause an increase in the value of the elongation at break. As a result of copolymerization of PTT with PCLT, one obtained multiblock copolymers with a heterophase structure. By changing the PTT/PCLT ratio, one obtained copolymers that differ in hardness and tensile strength. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47341.

The effects of PCL diol molecular weight on properties of shape memory poly(ε‐caprolactone) networks

ABSTRACTShape memory poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) networks with different molecular weights of PCL diol were prepared via thiol–ene reaction in this work. The highly efficient thiol–ene reaction ensured a uniform distribution of PCL chains between crosslinker, contributing well‐defined network architecture with good mechanical and shape memory properties. 1H NMR spectra were used to confirm that PCL diol was completely converted into acrylate‐terminated PCL. Gel content experiment and Fourier‐transform infrared showed that almost all samples exhibited virtually the complete crosslinking network due to the highly selective thiol–ene reaction between acrylate‐terminated PCL and tetrathiol crosslinker. Differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction tests revealed that the melting temperature and crystallinity of the prepared PCL networks by using high molecular weight of PCL diol displayed a higher result compared to ones using low molecular weight. The dynamic mechanical analyzer results revealed that the storage modulus of the network dropped evidently across the thermal transition, these characteristics of the PCL network indicated that all exhibited a good shape memory effect. The shape fixing ability was kind of being affected by the PCL diol molecular weight, while the shape recovery ratio of all samples can almost reach 99% irrespective of the length of PCL diol. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47055.

Grafting polycaprolactone diol onto cellulose nanocrystals via click chemistry: Enhancing thermal stability and hydrophobic property

Hydrophobic and thermally-stable cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were synthesized by polycarpolactone diol (PCL diol) grafting via click chemistry strategy. The synthesis was designed as a three-step procedure containing azide-modification of CNCs, alkyne-modification of PCL diol and sequent copper(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction. The structure of azide-modified CNCs and alkyne-modified PCL diol, the structure, hydrophobic ability and thermal stability of click products CNC-PCL were characterized. FTIR, XPS and H1 NMR results indicated a successful grafting of the N3 groups onto the CNCs, synthesis of PCL diol-CCH, and formation of the CNC-PCL material. CNC-PCL had enhanced dispersion in the non-polar solvent chloroform owing to the well-maintained microscale size and PCL-induced hydrophobic surface. The thermal stability of CNC-PCL was largely increased due to the grafting of thermally-stable PCL. This work demonstrates that click chemistry is an attractive modification strategy to graft CNCs with polyester chains for further potential application in polymer composites.

Biocompatible Polyurethane Scaffolds Prepared from Glycerol Monostearate-Derived Polyester Polyol

Biodegradable polyester polyol was synthesized from oleochemical glycerol monostearate (GMS) and glutaric acid under a non-catalyzed and solvent-free polycondensation method. The chemical structure of GMS-derived polyester polyol (GPP) was elucidated by FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR, and molecular weight of GPP was characterized by GPC. The synthesized GPP with acid value of 3.03 mg KOH/g sample, hydroxyl value of 115.72 mg KOH/g sample and Mn of 1345 g/mol was incorporated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polycaprolactone diol (PCL diol) to produce a water-blown porous polyurethane system via one-shot foaming method. The polyurethanes were optimized by evaluating glycerol as a crosslinker, silicone surfactant and water blowing agent on tensile properties of polyurethanes. All polyurethanes underwent structural change, and crystalline hard segments of polyurethanes were shifted to higher temperature suggested that hard segments undergone re-ordering process during enzymatic treatment. In terms of biocompatibility, polyurethane scaffold produced by reacting 100% w/w of GPP with isophorone diisocyanate and additives showed the highest cells viability of 3T3 mouse fibroblast (94%, day 1), and MG63 human osteosarcoma (107%, day 1) and better cell adhesion as compared to reference polyurethane produced by only PEG and PCL diol (3T3 cell viability: 8%; MG63 cell viability: 2%). The current work demonstrated GPP synthesized from renewable and environmental friendly resources produced polyurethanes that allows improvement in physico-chemical, mechanical and biocompatibility properties. By blending with increasing content of GPP, the water-blown porous polyurethane scaffold has shown great potential as biomaterial for soft and hard tissue engineering.

Properties of Compatible Soy Protein Isolate/Polycaprolactone Composite with Special Interface Structure

It is important to improve the compatibility and ultimately the properties of biobased polymer materials as alternative materials for non‐degradable polymer materials. In this study, polyurethane prepolymer (PUP) was synthesized from PCL diols, and the PUP with special structure was used as a compatibilizer to improve the compatibility between hydrophilic soy protein isolate (SPI) and hydrophobic PCL composites. The structure and properties of the soy protein isolate‐polycaprolactone (SPI‐PCL) composites were investigated. The results showed that the mechanical properties such as the tensile strength, impact strength, and bending strength of the modified composites were increased as compared to un‐modified composites, respectively. Also, the SEM results showed that the interfacial adhesion between the hydrophobic PCL and hydrophilic SPI was also enhanced because of the existence of compatible PU interfacial layer in the composites. Clearly, the strong urethane linkage interaction between the PU interfacial layer and the SPI particles, and the PCL–PCL crystallinity interactions between the PU interfacial layer and PCL matrix were responsible for the improved compatibility in the SPI–PCL composites. Therefore, the addition of the PUP with the special structure improved the compatibility and the properties of the SPI–PCL composites significantly. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E383–E391, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers