title: Synthesis and characterization of PEG dimethacrylates and their hydrogels.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Polymers Division, National Institute of Science and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8543, USA. slgibson@nist.gov
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lin-Gibson
authors.forename: Sidi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bencherif
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Stephanie J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wetzel
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Antonucci
authors.forename: Brandon M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: Ferenc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Horkay
authors.forename: Newell R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Washburn
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D020100:Hydrogels; D008689:Methacrylates; D011140:Polyurethanes; C097103:polyurethane dimethacrylate; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C004919:ethylene dimethacrylate