Synthesis and characterization of PEG dimethacrylates and their hydrogels.
Facile synthesis and detailed characterization of photopolymerizable and biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylates (PEGDM) and poly(ethylene glycol) urethane-dimethacrylates (PEGUDM) are described. Poly(ethylene glycol)s of various molecular masses (M(n) = 1000 to 8000 g/mol) were reacted with methacrylic anhydride or with 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate to form PEGDMs and PEGUDMs, respectively. PEGDMs were also prepared by a microwave-assisted route to achieve fast reaction conversions under solvent free conditions. Combined analyses of (1)H NMR and MALDI-TOF MS confirmed the formation of prepolymers of high purity and narrow mass distribution (PD < 1.02). Aqueous solutions of the PEGDMs and PEGUDMs (10% and 20% by mass fraction) were photopolymerized to yield hydrogels. Bovine chondrocytes, seeded in the hydrogels, were used to assess the biocompatibility. Preliminary rheology and uniaxial compression measurements showed varied mechanical response, and biocompatibility studies showed that cells are completely viable in both types of hydrogels after two weeks.
Lin-Gibson
Sheng
S
Polymers Division, National Institute of Science and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8543, USA. slgibson@nist.gov
Bencherif
Sidi
S
Cooper
James A
JA
Wetzel
Stephanie J
SJ
Antonucci
Joseph M
JM
Vogel
Brandon M
BM
Horkay
Ferenc
F
Washburn
Newell R
NR
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
D020100:Hydrogels; D008689:Methacrylates; D011140:Polyurethanes; C097103:polyurethane dimethacrylate; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C004919:ethylene dimethacrylate