Multiscale Characterization by Equibiaxial Tensile Testing and Time‐Domain ¹ H Solid State NMR for PTMC‐Based Networks for Tissue Growth

ABSTRACT

Poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) is a biodegradable and biocompatible elastomer suitable for tissue growth in biomedical applications, due to its tunable mechanical properties and safe degradation behavior. While PTMC‐based photo‐cross‐linked networks have demonstrated promising performance for such applications, their mechanical behavior under multiaxial loading remains seldom investigated. In this study, PTMC networks with macromer molecular weights ranging from 3 to 25 kg/mol were investigated to elucidate the relationship between network structure and biaxial tensile properties. A multiscale experimental approach combining biaxial tensile testing, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), and Time‐domain Solid State NMR measurements were employed. Magic Sandwich Echo experiments were used to probe molecular mobility, while Double‐Quantum NMR measurements provided insight into the networks' cross‐link densities. Obtained results reveal a direct correlation between network architecture, cross‐link density and distribution, and macroscopic thermomechanical behavior. These findings highlight the importance of a deepened multiscale characterization for understanding and tailoring the mechanical performance of PTMC networks for biomedical applications.