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Photocurable materials that can be delivered as liquids and rapidly (within seconds) cured in situ using UV light are gaining increased interest in advanced minimally invasive procedures. The aim of this work was to synthesize and characterize fatty-acid-derived ester-urethane telechelic (methacrylate) macromonomers, suitable for photopolymerization. The commonly used dibutyltin dilaurate catalyst was replaced with bismuth neodecanoate, bismuth tris(2-ethylhexanoate), and zinc (II) acetyloacetonate as less-toxic alternative catalysts. Additionally, ethyl acetate was used as a “green” solvent. The progress of the two-step synthesis was monitored with infrared spectroscopy. The chemical structure and molecular weight of the obtained viscous materials was characterized with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. Photocrosslinking of the macromonomers into elastomeric films was achieved using 150 s per spot of UV light (20 mW/cm2) exposure. Mechanical tensile testing of the films indicated their elasticity up to 120% and low modulus typical for soft and elastomeric materials. Finally, in vitro cytotoxicity tests showed high cell viability for the case of materials synthesized using bismuth and zinc catalysts. Overall, our results indicate that bismuth and zinc catalysts are excellent alternatives to organotin compounds in the synthesis of photocurable methacrylate ester-urethanes for potential biomedical applications.

Novel advanced biomaterials have recently gained great attention, especially in minimally invasive surgical techniques. By applying sophisticated design and engineering methods, various elastomer–hydrogel systems (EHS) with outstanding performance have been developed in the last decades. These systems composed of elastomers and hydrogels are very attractive due to their high biocompatibility, injectability, controlled porosity and often antimicrobial properties. Moreover, their elastomeric properties and bioadhesiveness are making them suitable for soft tissue engineering. Herein, we present the advances in the current state-of-the-art design principles and strategies for strong interface formation inspired by nature (bio-inspiration), the diverse properties and applications of elastomer–hydrogel systems in different medical fields, in particular, in tissue engineering. The functionalities of these systems, including adhesive properties, injectability, antimicrobial properties and degradability, applicable to tissue engineering will be discussed in a context of future efforts towards the development of advanced biomaterials.

Injectable and in situ photocurable biomaterials are receiving a lot of attention due to their ease of application via syringe or dedicated applicator and ability to be used in laparoscopic and robotic minimally invasive procedures. The aim of this work was to synthesize photocurable ester-urethane macromonomers using a heterometallic magnesium-titanium catalyst, magnesium-titanium (IV) butoxide. The progress of the two-step reaction was monitored using infrared spectroscopy. The chemical structure and molecular weight of the obtained macromonomers were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The dynamic viscosity of the obtained macromonomers was evaluated by a rheometer. Next, the photocuring process was studied under both air and argon atmospheres. Thermal and dynamic mechanical thermal properties of the photocured material were investigated. Finally, in vitro cytotoxicity screening based on ISO10993-5 revealed high cell viability (over 77%) regardless of curing atmosphere. Overall, our results indicate that this heterometallic magnesium-titanium butoxide catalyst can be an attractive alternative to commonly used homometallic catalysts for the synthesis of injectable and photocurable materials for medical applications.

Injectable and in situ photocurable biomaterials are receiving a lot of attention due to their ease of application via syringe or dedicated applicator and ability to be used in laparoscopic and robotic minimally invasive procedures.

Injectable and in situ photocurable biomaterials are receiving a lot of attention due to their ease of application via syringe or dedicated applicator and ability to be used in laparoscopic and robotic minimally invasive procedures. The aim of this work was to synthesize photocurable ester-urethane macromonomers using a heterometallic magnesium-titanium catalyst, magnesium-titanium (IV) butoxide for elastomeric polymer networks. The progress of the two-step synthesis of macromonomers was monitored using infrared spectroscopy. The chemical structure and molecular weight of the obtained macromonomers were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The dynamic viscosity of the obtained macromonomers was evaluated by a rheometer. Next, the photocuring process was studied under both air and argon atmospheres. Both the thermal and dynamic mechanical thermal properties of the photocured soft and elastomeric networks were investigated. Finally, in vitro cytotoxicity screening of polymer networks based on ISO10993-5 revealed high cell viability (over 77%) regardless of curing atmosphere. Overall, our results indicate that this heterometallic magnesium-titanium butoxide catalyst can be an attractive alternative to commonly used homometallic catalysts for the synthesis of injectable and photocurable materials for medical applications.

Novel bio-inspired materials have gained recently great attention, especially in medical applications. Applying sophisticated design and engineering methods, various polymer-polymer hybrid systems with outstanding performance have been developed in last decades. Hybrid systems composed of bioelastomers and hydrogels are very attractive due to their high biocompatibility and elastic nature for advanced biomaterials used in various medical applications such as drug delivery systems and scaffolds for tissue engineering. Herein, we describe the advances in current state-of-the-art design, properties and applications of polymer-polymer hybrid systems in medical applications. Bio-inspired functionalities, including bioadhesiveness, injectability, antibacterial properties and degradability applicable to advanced drug delivery systems and medical devices will be discussed in a context of future efforts towards development of bioinspired materials.

The aim of this work was to determine optimal extrusion temperature for polymer optical fibers. For preliminary studies poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) granulate was used. Samples of commercially available PMMA were subjected to four different temperatures in which were kept in oven for three different period of time. To examine the changes in the chemical structure of the polymer, an ATR-FT-IR (Attenuation Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) was chosen. Full Text: PDF ReferencesK. Peters, "Polymer optical fiber sensors—a review", Smart Mater. Struct. 20, 013002 (2011) CrossRef O. Ziemann, J. Krauser, P.E. Zamzow, W. Daum, "POF Polymer Optical Fibers for Data Communication" (New York, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2002). CrossRef M.A. van Eijkelenborg, M.C.J. Large, A. Argyros, J. Zagari, S. Manos, N.A. Issa, I. Bassett, S. Fleming, R.C. McPhedran, C. Martijn de Sterke, N.A.P. Nicorovici, "Microstructured polymer optical fibre", Opt Express 9, 319 (2001). CrossRef O. Çetinkaya, G. Wojcik, P. Mergo, "Decreasing diameter fluctuation of polymer optical fiber with optimized drawing conditions", Mater Res Express 5, 1 (2018). CrossRef P. Mergo, M. Gil, K. Skorupski, J. Klimek, G. Wójcik, J. Pędzisz, J. Kopec, K. Poruraj, L. Czyzewska, A. Walewski, A. Gorgol, "Low loss poly(methyl methacrylate) useful in polymer optical fibres technology", Phot. Lett. Poland, 5, 170 (2013). CrossRef J. Grdadolnik, "ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy: Its advantages and limitations", Acta Chim Slov. 49, 631 (2002). DirectLink P. Borowski, S. Pasieczna-Patkowska, M. Barczak, K. Pilorz, "Theoretical Determination of the Infrared Spectra of Amorphous Polymers", J Phys Chem A 116, 7424 (2012). CrossRef G. Socrates, "Infrared and Raman Characteristic Group Frequencies Tables and Charts" Third Edition (Baffins Lane Chichester, John Wiley & Sons Ltd 2001). DirectLink W. Schnabel, Polymer Degradation Principles and Practical Applications (Berlin, Akademie-Verlag 1981). DirectLink