A facile and green emulsion casting method to prepare chitin nanocrystal reinforced citrate-based bioelastomer. (10th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Xin; Liang, Kai; Tian, Yaling; Ji, Yali
• Is Part Of: Carbohydrate polymers. Volume 157(2017)
• Page Start: 620
• Page End: 628
• Publication Date: 2017-02-10
• Subjects: Bioelastomer -- Chitin nanocrystal -- Nanocomposite -- Emulsion -- Pluronic F127; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Periodicals; Polysaccharides -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 547.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.10.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8617

Abstract

Highlights: A new bioelastomer was synthesized by one-pot melt polycondensation. Chitin nanocrystal as emulsifier to stabilize pre-polymer and form Pickering emulsion. An eco-friendly emulsion casting process was used to prepare chitin nanocrystal reinforced nanocomposite elastomers. Filler-well-dispersed nanocomposite elastomers exhibited ultra-strong mechanical properties. Abstract: Chitin nanocrystal (ChiNC) is a promising reinforcing nanofiller for biomedical polymers. However, its self-aggregation characteristics caused processing difficulty in developing ChiNC-based nanocomposites. Herein, a new degradable crosslinked bioelastomer, designated as poly(1, 8-octanediol-co-Pluronic F127 citrate) (POFC) was synthesized by melt polycondensation of citric acid, 1, 8-octanediol, and Pluronic F127. In comparison to poly(1, 8-octanediol citrate) (POC), POFC pre-polymer exhibited self-emulsifying property. Once ChiNC was introduced into the emulsion, a ChiNC stabilized Pickering emulsion was formed. Coupled with a facile green emulsion casting/evaporation method, the ChiNC ultimately reinforced ChiNC/POFC nanocomposite elastomer was fabricated. The presence of F127 segments endowed POFC with better hydrophilicity and shorter degradation time relative to POC. The incorporation of ChiNC into POFC network led to highly increased tensile modulus and strength. In vitro cytotoxicity tests indicated that the ChiNC/POFC elastomer nanocomposite had a good cytocompatibility and it appeared as a potential biomaterial for tissue engineering application.