Mimicking mechanical properties of human tissues with 3D printable polyurethane-based elastomeric-hydrogels

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Faculty of Polymer Engineering, Sahand University of Technology

2 Faculty of Polymer Engineering and Institute of Polymeric Materials, Sahand University of Technology

10.22034/amnc.2023.400875.1239

Abstract

In recent times, there has been significant interest in the field of biomedical applications, particularly in the realm of targeted drug delivery and medical implants, where injectable biomaterials possessing 3D printing capabilities have garnered considerable attention. While numerous biomaterials have been developed to replicate the mechanical behavior of human tissue, the quest for an ideal biocompatible material with adjustable mechanical properties that can accommodate a wide range of characteristics remains unfulfilled. Within the scope of this research, a printable and injectable elastomeric hydrogel was formulated utilizing polyurethane as the elastomer component and hydroxyethyl methacrylate as the hydrogel component. By varying the percentage composition of these constituents, a diverse array of mechanical properties was achieved. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy was employed to verify the successful synthesis of EPUH. The synthetic materials displayed modifiable mechanical properties in their dry states, encompassing a range of Young's modulus values from 20 MPa to 1.2 GPa, as well as elongation at break values ranging from 20% to 140%. Additionally, this study also encompassed an evaluation of water uptake and printability of the samples.

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