Sustainable, processable and cytocompatible bioelastomers based on polycaprolactone and biobased polyester elastomer via dynamic vulcanization

Bioelastomers (bio-thermoplastic vulcanizate, bio-TPV) with tunable elasticity, high strength and satisfactory cytocompatibility were fabricated via an in situ dynamic vulcanizing strategy, i.e. melt blending of biobased polyester elastomer (BPE) and polycaprolactone (PCL) in the presence of crosslinker with the occurrence of phase inversion. A large amount of the BPE, which provides flexibility and elasticity, was quickly crosslinked and finely dispersed in the PCL matrix, which provides strength and processability. Bio-TPV with a BPE/PCL weight ratio of 70/30 exhibited good tensile properties, such as a tensile strength of 11.2 MPa and elongation at break of 414%. Additionally, the bio-TPV demonstrated satisfactory processability and reprocessability. Moreover, the as-prepared bio-TPV promotes MC3T3 cell adhesion and proliferation. The combination of improved sustainability, processability, cytocompatibility and mechanical performance makes these bio-TPVs potential candidates for both biomedical and engineering materials.