Table 2.
Percentage equilibrium swelling ratio (%ESR), weight percentage of hydrophobic content, average pore size and mechanical characteristics (under compression testing) for the PEHs.
| PEH a | %ESR | Hydrophobic Content (wt %) b | Average Pore Size (µm) | Ultimate Stress (MPa) | Ultimate Compression (%) | Compressive Modulus (KPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suc-PEH0 | 1209 ± 65 | 24 | - | 33 ± 3.4 | 46 ± 2.0 | 81.0 ± 11 |
| Suc-PEH2 | 1184 ± 56 | 25 | 456 ± 114 | 51 ± 5.3 | 58 ± 2.1 | 89.0 ± 0.1 |
| Suc-PEH5 | 1139 ± 52 | 27 | - | 63 ± 4.2 | 75 ± 4.1 | 81.0 ± 10 |
| Seb-PEH0 | 327 ± 4.5 | 32 | - | - c | - c | 183 ± 28 |
| Seb-PEH2 | 310 ± 2.1 | 34 | 467 ± 118 | - c | - c | 250 ± 20 |
| Seb-PEH5 | 301 ± 2.3 | 36 | - | - c | - c | 330 ± 5.7 |
| Tms-PEH0 | 370 ± 6.3 | 35 | - | 124 ± 18 | 60 ± 9.2 | 192 ± 6.0 |
| Tms-PEH2 | 340 ± 0.9 | 35 | 477 ± 102 | - c | - c | 148 ± 3.0 |
| Tms-PEH5 | 321 ± 5.5 | 38 | - | - c | - c | 193 ± 6.0 |
a Prefix denotes the cross-linker and subscript denotes the wt % of PCL used to prepare the polyester-ether hydrogels. b Determined from the mass of the cross-linker and PCL used in the formulations. c No fracture or defects were observed up to the maximum compressive strain of 80% used in this study.