Reverse thermo-responsive poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide) multiblock copolymers.
Aiming at developing new reverse thermo-responsive polymers, poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) multiblock copolymers were synthesized by covalently binding the two components using carbonyl chloride and diacyl chlorides as the coupling molecules. The appropriate selection of the various components allowed the generation of systems displaying much enhanced rheological properties. For example, 15 wt% aqueous solutions of an alternating poly(ether-carbonate) comprising PEO6000 and PPO3000 segments, achieved a viscosity of 140,000 Pas, while the commercially available Pluronic F127 displayed 5,000 Pas only. Furthermore, the structure of the chain extender played a key role in determining the sol-gel transition. While poly(ether-ester)s containing therephtaloyl (para) and isophtaloyl (metha) coupling units failed to gel at any concentration, a 15 wt% aqueous solution of the polymer chain-extended with phtaloyl chloride (ortho) gelled at 43 degrees C. The water solutions were also studied by dynamic light scattering and a clear influence of the PEO/PPO ratio on the aggregate size was observed. By incorporating short aliphatic oligoesters into the backbone, prior to the chain extension stage, reverse thermal gelation-displaying biodegradable poly(ether-ester-carbonate)s, were generated.
The Casali Institute of Applied Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Givat Ram Campus, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel. ale.sosnik@utoronto.ca
Alejandro
A
Sosnik
Daniel
D
Cohn
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000042:Absorption; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000032:analysis* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008422:Materials Testing; D044367:Phase Transition; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D014783:Viscosity; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; C116176:PEO-PPO-PEO; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D014867:Water; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols