POLYISOBUTYLENE-BASED THERMOPLASTIC BIORUBBERS

Abstract Linear triblock poly(styrene-b-isobutylene-b-styrene) (SIBS), the first representative of polyisobutylene (PIB)-based biomaterials, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the Taxus® Drug Eluting stent. SIBS and the new generation of dendritic or arborescent D_SIBS are self-assembling thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), or “biorubbers.” D_SIBS has lower creep and improved fatigue life. We recently produced composites of novel D_PIB-based TPEs with carbon and silica. These composites had 2–10 times higher tensile strength than that of the neat polymer. The composite with 37.5 wt. % carbon black was nonconductive, demonstrating excellent filler dispersion. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy analysis supported the formation of a nanocomposite with nanosized surface topology. The water contact angle of the biorubbers was significantly lower than that of silicone rubber. The carbon nanocomposite showed excellent biocompatibility in vivo, having thinner capsule...