Different methods of synthesizing poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS): A review

Abstract

Poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) is a biodegradable elastomer that has attracted increasing attention as a potential material for applications in biological tissue engineering. The conventional method of synthesis, first described in 2002, is based on the polycondensation of glycerol and sebacic acid, but it is a time-consuming and energy-intensive process. In recent years, new approaches for producing PGS, PGS blends, and PGS copolymers have been reported to not only reduce the time and energy required to obtain the final material but also to adjust the properties and processability of the PGS-based materials based on the desired applications. This review compiles more than 20 years of PGS synthesis reports, reported inconsistencies, and proposed alternatives to more rapidly produce PGS polymer structures or PGS derivatives with tailor-made properties. Synthesis conditions such as temperature, reaction time, reagent ratio, atmosphere, catalysts, microwave-assisted synthesis, and PGS modifications (urethane and acrylate groups, blends, and copolymers) were revisited to present and discuss the diverse alternatives to produce and adapt PGS.

Toward a Better Understanding of the Poly(glycerol sebacate)–Water Interface

“…Physico-chemical and biological properties of PGS-based systems were found to be dependent on the synthesis protocol, − morphology, monomer ratio, ,, curing time, , cross-linking density, ,,, and temperature . Additionally, an in-depth understanding of the interaction between PGS and water is critical for biocompatibility and biodegradability of materials in tissue engineering , and drug delivery. , …”

“…Since then, numerous works have been carried out with a view to optimizing the PGS synthesis and its properties. 4 Its favorable combination of properties 5 such as toughness, 3 good flexibility, 6 biocompatibility, 7 and shape memory 8 along with the fact that it degrades by surface erosion 9,10 into nontoxic products makes PGS a good candidate for drug delivery, 11−13 tissue engineering, 14−16 and diverse other biomedical applications. 5,17−19 Physico-chemical and biological properties 4 of PGS-based systems were found to be dependent on the synthesis protocol, 20−25 morphology, 26 monomer ratio, 3,27,28 curing time, 22,29 cross-linking density, 3,18,22,24 and temperature.…”

“…4 Its favorable combination of properties 5 such as toughness, 3 good flexibility, 6 biocompatibility, 7 and shape memory 8 along with the fact that it degrades by surface erosion 9,10 into nontoxic products makes PGS a good candidate for drug delivery, 11−13 tissue engineering, 14−16 and diverse other biomedical applications. 5,17−19 Physico-chemical and biological properties 4 of PGS-based systems were found to be dependent on the synthesis protocol, 20−25 morphology, 26 monomer ratio, 3,27,28 curing time, 22,29 cross-linking density, 3,18,22,24 and temperature. 30 Additionally, an in-depth understanding of the interaction between PGS and water is critical for biocompatibility and biodegradability of materials in tissue engineering 31,32 and drug delivery.…”

Synthesis of Prepolymers of Poly(glycerol-co-diacids) Based on Sebacic and Succinic Acid Mixtures

“…PGS has received notable attention from the scientific community, and many studies as well as some reviews have been published on the matter. 6 − 15 …”

“…However, PGS was previously reported as a biodegradable material by Nagata et al , in 1990s under the term “Yg10”. PGS has received notable attention from the scientific community, and many studies as well as some reviews have been published on the matter. − …”