POSS-Containing Bioinspired Adhesives with Enhanced Mechanical and Optical Properties for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

A new terpolymer adhesive, poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate-co-N-methacryloyl 3,4-dihydroxyl-l-phenylalanine-co-heptaisobutyl substituted polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane propyl methacrylate) (poly(MEA-co-MDOPA-co-MPOSS) was synthesized by thermally initiated radical polymerization. In this study, we investigated the effect of the POSS component on adhesion, mechanical, and optical properties of the catechol-group containing bioinspired adhesives. The terpolymer contains the catechol group which is known to improve the adhesion properties of polymers. Only a very small amount of the POSS-containing monomer, MPOSS, was included, 0.5 mol %. In the presence of POSS, the synthesized poly(MEA-co-MDOPA-co-MPOSS) demonstrated strong adhesion properties, 23.2 ± 6.2 J/m with 0.05 N preloading and 300 s holding time, compared to many previously prepared catechol-containing adhesives. The mechanical properties (Young's modulus and stress at 10% strain) of the POSS-containing terpolymer showed significant increases (6-fold higher) over the control polymer, which does not contain POSS. Optical transmittance of the synthesized terpolymer was also improved significantly in the visible light range, 450-750 nm. Cell testing with human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293A) indicates that the new terpolymer is a promising candidate in biomedical adhesives without acute cytotoxicity. The synthesized poly(MEA-co-MDOPA-co-MPOSS) is the first example of POSS-containing pressure sensitive bioinspired adhesive for biomedical applications. The study of poly(MEA-co-MDOPA-co-MPOSS) demonstrated a convenient method to enhance two important properties, mechanical and optical properties, by the addition of a very small amount of POSS. Based on this study, it was found that POSS can be used to strengthen mechanical properties of bioinspired adhesive without the need for a covalent cross-linking step.

Polyurethane composites based on silsesquioxane derivatives of different structures

“…The covalent incorporation of reactive silsesquioxane monomers into polymers is the greatest advantage of the proposed fillers. The formation of covalent bonds between the polymer matrix and the filler permits obtaining inseparable hybrid material based on organic, functional polymers (e.g., epoxides, polyamides, methacrylates, or polyurethanes) [33][34][35][36].…”

Synthesis of lightly crosslinked zwitterionic polymer‐based bioinspired adhesives for intestinal tissue sealing

“…The preparation of our desired adhesive terpolymer poly(MDOPA‐ co ‐SBMA‐ co ‐PEGDMA) ( 4 ) begins with the synthesis of the monomer N ‐methacryloyl‐3,4‐dihydroxyl‐ l ‐phenylalanine (MDOPA) ( 1 ) which has been reported previously . Briefly, MDOPA was prepared by treatment of L‐DOPA with methacryloyl chloride in an aqueous borax solution.…”

“…The average molecular weight of PEGDMA (purchased from Sigma‐Aldrich) used as crosslinker is 750 g mol −1 . MDOPA 1 was synthesized and characterized as previously reported in the literature . Porcine skin was purchased from a local grocery store.…”

Hyperbranched Polysiloxanes Based on Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Cages with Ultra-High Molecular Weight and Structural Tuneability

“…Depending on the number of functional groups within one POSS cage, the morphology of the resulting polymers can be radically different. The POSS cages with two connecting points can be incorporated into linear polymer backbones, and they can be attached sidelong of linear polymers if only one connecting point is present [23][24][25][26][27][28]. POSS cages with multiple connecting points usually lead to cross-linked polymers, and the special geometry of POSSs can make the polymers possess interesting permanent porosity [29][30][31].…”