Graft copolymerization of glycerol 1,3-diglycerolate diacrylate onto poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) to improve physical properties and biocompatibility

Glycerol 1,3-diglycerol diacrylate-grafted poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) (GDD-g-PHO) copolymers were prepared by heating homogeneous solutions of PHO, GDD monomer and benzoylperoxide initiator. Experiments showed that GDD was successfully grafted onto the PHO chains and that the resulting copolymers had enhanced thermal properties and mechanical strengths. The surfaces and the bulk of GDD-g-PHO copolymers became more hydrophilic as the GDD grafting density in the copolymer increased. Measurements of the growth of Chinese hamster ovary cells and the adsorption of blood proteins and platelets in vitro showed that biocompatibility was also enhanced by grafting of GDD groups. These results indicate that the GDD-g-PHO copolymers are promising materials for biocompatible biomedical applications.