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

ABSTRACT 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.