Functionalized TMC and ε-CL elastomers with shape memory and self-healing properties

Siwen Chen; Miaomiao Xiao; Zhipeng Hou; Zhongcun Li; Jianshe Hu; Jing Guo; Jing Chen; Liqun Yang; Quan Na

doi:10.3389/fbioe.2023.1298723

Functionalized TMC and ε-CL elastomers with shape memory and self-healing properties

Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2023 Nov 16:11:1298723. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1298723. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Siwen Chen^#^{1

2}, Miaomiao Xiao^#³, Zhipeng Hou^#¹, Zhongcun Li², Jianshe Hu², Jing Guo⁴, Jing Chen⁵, Liqun Yang^{1

4}, Quan Na⁵

Affiliations

¹ Research Center for Biomedical Materials, Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Minimally Invasive Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Techniques, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
² Center for Molecular Science and Engineering, College of Science, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China.
³ College of Kinesiology, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, China.
⁴ Liaoning Research Institute for Eugenic Birth and Fertility, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
⁵ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Introduction: Smart elastomers, which possess self-healing and shape memory capabilities, have immense potential in the field of biomedical applications. Polycarbonates and polyesters have gained widespread interest due to their remarkable biocompatibility over the last century. Nevertheless, the lack of functional versatility in conventional polyesters and polycarbonates means that they fall short of meeting the ever-evolving demands of the future. Methods: This paper introduced a new smart elastomer, named mPEG₄₃-b-(PMBC-co-PCL)_n, developed from polyester and polycarbonate blends, that possessed shape memory and self-heal capabilities via a physical crosslinking system. Results: The material demonstrated a significant tensile strength of 0.38 MPa and a tensile ratio of 1155.6%, highlighting its favorable mechanical properties. In addition, a conspicuous shape retrieval rate of 93% was showcased within 32.5 seconds at 37°C. Remarkably, the affected area could be repaired proficiently with no irritation experienced during 6h at room temperature, which was indicative of an admirable repair percentage of 87.6%. Furthermore, these features could be precisely modified by altering the proportion of MBC and ε-CL to suit individual constraints. Discussion: This innovative elastomer with exceptional shape memory and self-heal capabilities provides a solid basis and promising potential for the development of self-contracting intelligent surgical sutures in the biomedical field.

Keywords: elastomer; polycarbonate; polyester; self-healing; shape recovery.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province (2022-YGJC-69) and the support program for excellent young scholars of China Medical University.