Polyester urethane functionalizable through maleimide side-chains and cross-linkable by polylactide stereocomplexes

Soft, Formstable (Co)Polyester Blend Elastomers

High crystallization rate and thermomechanical stability make polylactide stereocomplexes effective nanosized physical netpoints. Here, we address the need for soft, form-stable degradable elastomers for medical applications by designing such blends from (co)polyesters, whose mechanical properties are ruled by their nanodimensional architecture and which are applied as single components in implants. By careful controlling of the copolymer composition and sequence structure of poly[(L-lactide)-co-(ε-caprolactone)], it is possible to prepare hyperelastic polymer blends formed through stereocomplexation by adding poly(D-lactide) (PDLA). Low glass transition temperature T_g ≤ 0 °C of the mixed amorphous phase contributes to the low Young’s modulus E. The formation of stereocomplexes is shown in DSC by melting transitions T_m > 190 °C and in WAXS by distinct scattering maxima at 2θ = 12° and 21°. Tensile testing demonstrated that the blends are soft (E = 12–80 MPa) and show an excellent hyperelastic recovery R_rec = 66–85% while having high elongation at break ε_b up to >1000%. These properties of the blends are attained only when the copolymer has 56–62 wt% lactide content, a weight average molar mass >140 kg·mol⁻¹, and number average lactide sequence length ≥4.8, while the blend is formed with a content of 5–10 wt% of PDLA. The devised strategy to identify a suitable copolymer for stereocomplexation and blend formation is transferable to further polymer systems and will support the development of thermoplastic elastomers suitable for medical applications.