Melt and solution processability of poly(butylene succinate‐dilinoleic succinate) copolymers modified with poly(ethylene glycol) using3Dprinting and electrospinning

Abstract

Fabrication of complex structures usually requires a combination of different advanced manufacturing techniques at different length scales. In this work, we discuss the structure‐properties relationship of recently developed biodegradable poly(butylene succinate‐dilinoleic succinate) (PBS‐DLS) copolymers modified with hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) towards their processibility via 3D printing and electrospinning. Notably, filaments suitable for 3D printing with 1.75 mm diameter were fabricated directly from the reactor after the synthesis of copolymers through extruding polymer melt into a water bath thus overcoming the postprocessing. Two series of copolymers containing 60 wt% and 70 wt% of hard PBS content were synthesized using magnesium‐titanium butoxide as heterometallic catalyst. Differential scanning calorimetry indicated biphasic morphology with low‐glass transition temperature and high‐melting point, which were dependent from the PBS hard segments content. Crystallized copolymers exhibited distinct spherulitic morphology, but presence of crystallites has no adverse effect on warping or delamination of subsequent layers during 3D printing. Furthermore, these copolymers demonstrated also easy processability through electrospinning, yielding uniform nanofibers with diameters ranging from 400 to 600 nm. The addition of 5 wt% PEG to copolymers with higher hard segments content (70 wt%) increased the elasticity up to 830% and improved hydrophilicity of the copolymers. Overall, these findings together with the excellent cell viability of new materials highlight their potential for different applications, including the biomedical sector.

Enzymatic Synthesis of Furan-Based Copolymers: Material Characterization and Potential for Biomedical Applications

“…The findings reveal that, for the copolymer under investigation, the majority of fiber diameters fall within the range of 500-700 nm. This outcome underscores the electrospinning potential of the polymer, showcasing characteristics similar to the native extracellular matrix (ECM) [41,42]. The versatility of these fibers extends their applicability to diverse domains, including, but not only limited to tissue engineering.…”

Enzymatic synthesis of furan-based copolymers: Material characterization and potential for biomedical applications

“…This outcome underscores the electrospinning potential of the polymer, showcasing characteristics similar to the ECM. 41,42 The versatility of these fibers extends their applicability to diverse domains, including, but not only limited to, tissue engineering.…”

Template-assisted electrospinning and 3D printing of multilayered hierarchical vascular grafts

“…The fabrication of the tunica media-like layer was achieved through 3D printing using PBS-DLS 70-30 and PBS-DLS-PEG 70-25-05 copolymers, chosen for demonstrated suitability in terms of thermal, mechanical, and printability properties (24) . This tubular structure serves not only as the tunica media but also as a template for the subsequent electrospinning process.…”

“…This tubular structure serves not only as the tunica media but also as a template for the subsequent electrospinning process. The 3D printability of the copolymers was previously assessed, utilizing FFF with an Anycubic i3 Mega 3D printer from Shenzhen Anycubic Technology Co., Ltd (24) . Filaments of copolymers were obtained directly from the reactor after the synthesis.…”

“…Additionally, polyethylene glycol (PEG) modification to PBS-DLS copolymers, have been tailoring their biodegradation rate by improving surface wettability to facilitate hydrolysis, also showing excellent cytotoxicity, thus making them suitable for biomedical applications (23) . These copolymers exhibited excellent melt and solution processibility, making them highly suitable for electrospinning and extrusion 3D printing techniques, allowing for the transformation into nanofibers with diameters ranging from 400 to 600 nm and demonstrating good printability, enabling the fabrication of structures with up to 400 layers stacked atop each other (24) . Furthermore, endothelialization of the lumen is vital for vascular graft success, but achieving it remains a significant challenge in vascular tissue engineering (25) .…”