PolyHIPEs are highly porous, emulsion-templated polymer monoliths typically synthesized via free radical polymerization within high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs), emulsions with more than 74 vol % internal phase. The unique qualities of polyHIPEs and the ability to tailor them through variations in the synthesis procedure make them suitable for the development of novel three dimensional scaffolds for such applications as drug delivery and tissue engineering. The objectives of this research were to synthesis and develop polyHIPEs containing biodegradable and biocompatible macromonomers (macromers) and to investigate the effects of macromer type on the polyHIPE structure and properties. Specifically, the polyHIPEs were based on methacrylated oligomeric biodegradable polyesters: poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), polylactide (PLA), and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA), copolymers of lactide and glycolide. The PLA and PLGA tetrols, synthesized using ring-opening polymerization, had molecular weights of around 2200 g/mol. All the polyHIPEs synthesized were white monoliths with open-cell, micrometer-scale, channel-like structures PolyHIPEs synthesized using the methacrylated PLA and PLGA tetrols exhibited densities of around 0.12 g/cc. PolyHIPEs based on methacrylated PCL diols with molecular weights ranging from 530 to 2000 g/mol exhibited densities between 0.18 and 0.28 g/cc. The PLA-based and PLGA-base polyHIPEs exhibited Tgs at around 70 °C and moduli around 0.3 MPa, while the PCL-based polyHIPEs exhibited Tgs at around -50 °C with some crystallinity and moduli around 0.2 MPa. All the PCL-based polyHIPEs degraded to completion within 2.5 h in 3 M NaOH. 3D printing was successfully used to produce 1 cm × 1 cm objects from HIPEs containing methacrylated PCL diols. While the HIPE based on the lower molecular weight PCL diol was difficult to print and to dry, the HIPE based on the higher molecular weight PCL diol was successfully printed and dried.

Degradable porous polyesters via emulsion-templating: Synthesis, properties, and 3D printing

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.