title: Crosslinkable PEO-PPO-PEO-based reverse thermo-responsive gels as potentially injectable materials.
abstract: This paper describes the functionalization and crosslinking of PluronicRTM derivatives in aqueous solution at 37 degrees C. Pluronic dimethacrylate was obtained by reacting native PEO-PPO-PEO triblocks with methacryloyl chloride and then crosslinking them by free radical polymerization at 37 degrees C, using a redox system. The resulting gel and its rheological behavior were characterized by different techniques. The swelling study of the crosslinked polymer was indicative of its reverse thermo-responsive behavior, as illustrated by the almost 800% water uptake of the polymer at 37 degrees C, as opposed to the 1600% attained by the polymer at 25 degrees C. As expected, while the Pluronic dimethacrylate gel displayed an Ec value of 142.5 +/- 29.7 kPa at 37 degrees C, the crosslinked system attained a Young's modulus three times higher: 415.2 +/- 45.7 kPa. Finally, the environmental SEM analysis revealed the porous microstructure of the crosslinked gels.
authors.affiliation: The Casali Institute of Applied Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel. alejo@pob.huji.ac.il
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sosnik
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cohn
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: San Román
authors.forename: Gustavo A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Abraham
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005782:Gels; D007267:Injections; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005782:Gels; C116176:PEO-PPO-PEO; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D012996:Solutions; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols