Hydrolyzable and biocompatible aliphatic polycarbonates with ether-functionalized side chains attached via amide linkers

Abstract

Abstract Investigating polymer degradation mechanisms enables the establishment of controlled degradation techniques for the development of sustainable and recyclable materials. Hydration can play a crucial role in controlling the hydrolysis of polymers. Here, ether-functionalized aliphatic polycarbonates (APCs) susceptible to nonenzymatic hydrolysis were developed for application as biocompatible biomaterials. Among these polymers, those grafted with 2-methoxyethyl and 3-methoxypropyl side chains via an amide group were highly wettable, strongly interacted with water, and experienced almost complete hydrolysis in phosphate-buffered saline over 30 days, which was attributed to the hydrogen bonding between water and the amide/methoxy groups. In an alkaline medium, all amide-linked APCs were completely hydrolyzed within 30 days, regardless of the side-chain structure. In contrast, the nonamide-linked APCs and a representative aliphatic polycarbonate, poly(trimethylene carbonate), were minimally degraded in the buffer and experienced <31% degradation under alkaline conditions. The APC with the 3-methoxypropyl side chain exhibited platelet adhesion properties comparable to those of ether-functionalized APCs previously reported as blood-compatible polymers. Thus, our results demonstrate the effects of an amide linker on the hydration and hydrolytic properties of APCs and can help establish new design concepts for degradable polymers.