Biomacromolecules, Vol.21, No.8, 3197-3206, 2020
Enzymatic Polymerization of Poly(glycerol-1,8-octanediol-sebacate): Versatile Poly(glycerol sebacate) Analogues that Form Monocomponent Biodegradable Fiber Scaffolds
A family of poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) analogues were synthesized by Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) catalysis to tailor biomaterial properties. Different fractions of glycerol (G) units in PGS were replaced by 1,8-octanediol (0) units. Poly(glycerol-1,8-octanediol-sebacate), PGOS, synthesized by CALB catalysis with a 1:3 molar ratio of G to O units has M-n and M-w values of 9500 and 92,000, respectively. PGS undergoes fiber fusion during electro-spinning, and cross-linked PGS rapidly resorbs when implanted. By decreasing the molar ratio of glycerol-to-octanediol from 1:1 to 1:4, the peak melting temperature (T-m) increased from 27 to 47 degrees C. PGOS with 1:3 G to O units was electrospun into nanofibers without the need for a second component. The copolymer is semicrystalline and, when cross-linked, undergoes slow in vitro mass loss (3.5 +/- 1.0% in 31 days) at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. Furthermore, PGOS cross-linked films have an elastic modulus of 106.1 +/- 18.6 MPa, which is more than 100 times that of cross-linked PGS. New PGOS polymers showed tunable molecular weights, better thermal properties, and excellent electrospinnability. This work expanded PGS analogues' function, making these suitable biodegradable polymers for various biomedical applications.