Volume : 2, Issue : 6, June - 2013

Synthesis, Characterization and Swelling property of Poly (Diol Citrate–Co–diol Suberate) Elastomers

S. Santhi, R. Nanthini

Abstract :

The advancement in tissue engineering technology demands the identification of novel biodegradable polymers which are elastic in nature and mechanically compatible with the host tissue. Hence, we have developed two polyester elastomers from citric acid (CA), suberic acid (Su), 1, 12–dodecanediol (DD) and/or 1, 4–cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM). These polymers were synthesized by melt condensation without using any catalyst. The presence of multifunctional group in citric acid favors cross linking during post– polymerization. The pre–polymers synthesized from citric acid, suberic acid and 1,12– dodecanediol (P5), and citric acid, suberic acid, and 1, 4–cyclohexanedimethanol(P8) were characterized by determining solubility ,FTIR– spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy. The post polymers were subjected to differential scanning calorimetry, thermo gravimetric analysis, mechanical and swelling studies. The results of swelling and tensile studies show that these polymers are cross–linked elastomers. Polymer P5 and P8 displayed an initial modulus of 14.52 and 1.24 MPa and elongation at eak between102% and 64% respectively. The difference in swelling % of polymers P5 and P8 indicates that the choice of monomers influence the physical properties. Both P5 and P8 were found to be susceptible for swelling, which is the required quality for any polymer prior to biodegradation.