Development of Poly(Glycerol Sebacate) and Its Derivatives: A Review of the Progress over the past Two Decades

Poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) and its derivatives have been developed and used for various biomedical applications over the past two decades. Several publications have reviewed the development of PGS from different perspectives, typically focusing on the biofabrication techniques and intended biomedical applications of PGS. However, a comprehensive review of the progress in the research on PGS and its derivatives over the past two decades, in terms of material design, synthesis, and properties have not been conducted. Herein, we review the design and preparation of PGS using different synthesis processes, ranging from the traditional heat curing method to various novel synthesis approaches, before systematically exploring the development of novel PGS derivatives prepared by functional groups modification or (and) hybridizing with other substances. Moreover, a statistical analysis of related publications is presented to quantify the progress in the research on PGS and its derivatives from different perspectives and identify any trends. We expect that this review and the design principles of PGS-based materials summarized herein will inform and promote the further development and optimization of PGS and its derivatives for biomedical applications.