Synthesis and Characterization of Itaconic Acid Cross-Linked Poly(glycerol sebacate) with Enhanced Tunable Elastomeric Properties

In this study, a series of cross-linked poly(glycerol sebacate itaconic) (PGSIA) was prepared using a two-step method, involving pre-PGS oligomers with varying hydroxyl contents and molecular weights. The effects of different pre-PGS oligomers on the structure and properties of the cross-linked PGSIAs were investigated. Upon increasing the pre-PGS molecular weight, the degree of cross-linking degree of the PGSIA increased accordingly. Young's modulus and tensile strength increased dramatically from 1.97 and 1.25 MPa to 24.94 and 7.82 MPa, respectively. Meanwhile, the glass transition temperature ( T g ) increased from −15.5°C to −5.3°C. The water contact angle increased from 62.3° to 88.0°, and the degradation mass loss decreased from 12.8% to 4.3%. Upon increasing the hydroxyl content, the degree of cross-linking degree increased, along with the increase in the Young's modulus, which increased from 3.17 to 9.97 MPa, while tensile strength increased from 1.35 to 3.39 MPa. The T g decreased gradually from −7.5°C to −19.8°C. The water contact angle increased from 47.9° to 80.4°, and the loss of degradation mass loss increased from 6.1% to 23.5%. In this work, poly(glycerol sebacate itaconic) (PGSIA), was prepared by a solvent-free melt process as a green chemistry advantage.