title: Synthesis and characterization of biocompatible thermo-responsive gelators based on ABA triblock copolymers.
abstract: The synthesis of biocompatible, thermo-responsive ABA triblock copolymers in which the outer A blocks comprise poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and the central B block is poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) is achieved using atom transfer radical polymerization with a commercially available bifunctional initiator. These novel triblock copolymers are water-soluble in dilute aqueous solution at 20 degrees C and pH 7.4 but form free-standing physical gels at 37 degrees C due to hydrophobic interactions between the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) blocks. This gelation is reversible, and the gels are believed to contain nanosized micellar domains; this suggests possible applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S3 7HF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Chengming
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yiqing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Armes
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Susanna F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Andrew W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D008823:Micelles; D049329:Nanostructures; D044367:Phase Transition; D010767:Phosphorylcholine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D008689:Methacrylates; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; C115766:poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl-phosphorylcholine); D010767:Phosphorylcholine; C052970:poly-N-isopropylacrylamide