Thermoreversible Hydrogels From RAFT-Synthesized BAB Triblock Copolymers: Steps Toward Biomimetic Matrices For Tissue Regeneration
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2008
Department
Polymers and High Performance Materials
Abstract
Narrowly dispersed, temperature-responsive BAB block copolymers capable of forming physical gels under physiological conditions were synthesized via aqueous reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The use of a difunctional trithiocarbonate facilitates the two-step synthesis of BAB copolymers with symmetrical outer blocks. The outer B blocks of the triblock copolymers consist of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and the inner A block consists of poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide). The copolymers form reversible physical gels above the phase transition temperature of PNIPAM at concentrations as low as 7.5 wt % copolymer. Mechanical properties similar to collagen, a naturally occurring polypeptide used as a three-dimensional in vitro cell growth scaffold, have been achieved. Herein, we report the mechanical properties of the gels as a function of solvent, polymer concentration, and inner block length. Structural information about the gels was obtained through pulsed field gradient NMR experiments and confocal microscopy.
Publication Title
Biomacromolecules
Volume
9
Issue
2
First Page
481
Last Page
486
Recommended Citation
Kirkland, S. E.,
Hensarling, R. M.,
McConaughy, S. D.,
Jarrett, W. L.,
McCormick, C. L.
(2008). Thermoreversible Hydrogels From RAFT-Synthesized BAB Triblock Copolymers: Steps Toward Biomimetic Matrices For Tissue Regeneration. Biomacromolecules, 9(2), 481-486.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/1528