Initiator structure influence on thermal and rheological properties of oligo(epsilon-caprolactone)

Mikhail, A; Sharifpoor, S; Amsden, B

HERO ID

4937016

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2006

HERO ID 4937016
In Press No
Year 2006
Title Initiator structure influence on thermal and rheological properties of oligo(epsilon-caprolactone)
Authors Mikhail, A; Sharifpoor, S; Amsden, B
Journal Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition
Volume 17
Issue 3
Page Numbers 291-301
Abstract Biodegradable thermoplastic oligomers have potential as biomaterials for tissue augmentation and drug-delivery applications. One means of obtaining such a biomaterial is through the ring-opening polymerization of E-caprolactone using an alcohol initiator. In this paper we continue to examine the influence of the structure of the initiator used on the thermal and rheological properties of oligo(epsilon-caprolactone). Specifically, primary and secondary pentanol, and cis- and trans-pentenol were studied as initiators in the preparation of oligomers of constant molecular weight. In agreement with previous work. the secondary conformer yielded higher inch viscosities, lower degrees of crystallinity and lower glass transition temperatures. The cis conformer produced the lowest melt viscosity: however. the activation energy for flow was hi-her than obtained previously with oleyl alcohol. This result was attributed to the alkane chain lengths on either side of the cis double bond in the initiator. The order of melt viscosity increased with initiator conformer as follows: cis, trans, primary and secondary. The results were explained in terms of oligomer chain flexibility in the melt.
Doi 10.1163/156856206775997278
Wosid WOS:000237491000002
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override 4937016
Is Public Yes
Keyword thermoplastics; biodegradable oligomers; melt viscosity; crystallinity