Processing conditions deeply affect the mechanical, chemical and biological properties of elastomeric based nanocomposites. In this work, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were dispersed in poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) prepolymer, followed by curing under vacuum at 120 °C. It was observed an increase of the water contact angle with the amount of MWCNTs added, as well as the tensile strength and Young modulus, without compromising the elastomeric behaviour of the pristine PGS matrix. The cross-linking degree was determined by the Flory-Rehner swelling method and through the mechanical rubber elasticity model, and an increase of more than six-fold was observed, which demonstrates the chemical conjugation between the MWCNTs and the PGS polymer chains, resulting in stiff and elastomeric nanocomposites. Finally, in vitro cell culture of adult mouse hypothalamus neurons A59 cells showed good support for cell viability and stimulation for axons and dendrites growth. The unique features of these nanocomposites make them promise for biomedical applications, as soft tissue substrates with tailored mechanical properties.

加工条件深刻影响了基于弹性体的纳米复合材料的机械，化学和生物学特性。在这项工作中，将多壁碳纳米管（MWCNT）分散在聚癸二酸甘油酯（PGS）预聚物中，然后在120°C的真空下固化。观察到水接触角随所添加的MWCNT数量的增加以及拉伸强度和杨氏模量的增加，而没有损害原始PGS基质的弹性行为。交联度是通过Flory-Rehner溶胀法和机械橡胶弹性模型确定的，并且观察到的增加超过六倍，这表明MWCNT和PGS聚合物链之间的化学共轭，导致刚性和弹性纳米复合材料。最后，体外成年小鼠下丘脑神经元A59细胞的细胞培养显示出对细胞活力以及轴突和树突生长的刺激的良好支持。这些纳米复合材料的独特功能使它们有望成为具有生物力学应用的软组织基质的生物医学应用。