Poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) has been extensively studied for use in additive manufacturing and <i>in vivo</i> applications as a consequence of its alkene photo-crosslinking ability and degradation into bioresorbable products upon hydrolysis of the ester linkage. A one-pot ring-opening polymerization of a lactone followed by a ring-opening copolymerization of maleic anhydride and propylene oxide has been used to produce poly(lactone-<i>block</i>-propylene fumarate) copolymers. This method allows for the introduction of chain functionalities that can be modified post-polymerization or post-printing using ‘click’-type addition reactions in order to attach proteins to the surface and improve biocompatibility. A series of copolymers were created using various lactones in order to tune the thermal, mechanical, and degradative properties. Resins of these block copolymers were able to be printed to make high resolution objects using continuous digital light processing with a higher molecular weight polymer and less solvent than previously reported.

Block copolymers of polylactones and poly(propylene fumarate) for 3D printed biological scaffolds

255th National Meeting (2018)

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