Synthesis and characterization of poly(vinylphosphonic acid-co-acrylic acid) copolymers for application in bone tissue scaffolds

Rebecca Dey, Xia Zhong, Peter Youle, Qi Guang Wang, Ian Wimpenny, Sandra Downes, Judith Hoyland, David Watts, Julie Gough, Peter Budd

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Poly(vinylphosphonic acid-co-acrylic acid) (PVPA-co-AA) has recently been identified as a possible candidate for use in bone tissue engineering. It is hypothesized that the strong binding of PVPA-co-AA to calcium in natural bone inhibits osteoclast activity. The free radical polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) with vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) has been investigated with varying experimental conditions. A range of copolymers were successfully produced and their compositions were determined quantitatively using 31P NMR spectroscopy. Monomer conversions were calculated using 1H NMR spectroscopy and a general decrease was found with increasing VPA content. Titration studies demonstrated an increase in the degree of dissociation as a function of VPA in the copolymer. However, a VPA content ca. 30 mol % was found to be the optimum for calcium chelation, suggesting that this composition is the most promising for biomaterials applications. Assessment of cell metabolic activity showed that PVPA-co-AA has no detrimental effect on cells, regardless of copolymer composition.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2656–2662
Number of pages7
JournalMacromolecules
Volume49
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Mar 2016

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