title: Caprolactonic poloxamer analog: PEG-PCL-PEG.
abstract: The aqueous solution of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PCL-PEG) triblock copolymers (> 15. wt. %) undergoing "clear sol-gel-turbid sol" transition as the temperature increases from 20 to 60 degrees C has been developed. Light scattering and 13C NMR study suggested that the transition mechanisms are the micellar aggregation for the clear sol to gel transition (lower transition), whereas the increase in PCL molecular motion for gel to turbid sol transition (upper transition). In contrast to the previous thermogelling biodegradable polymers with a sticky paste morphology, the powder form of the PEG-PCL-PEG triblock copolymers makes it easy to handle and allows fast dissolution in water. Therefore, the lyophilization into a powder form followed by facile reconstitution was possible. This system is believed to be promising for drug delivery, cell therapy, and tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Division of Nano Science, Ewha Womans University, Daehyun-Dong, Seodaemun-Ku, Seoul, 120-750, Korea.
authors.forename: Min Ji
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Ju Myung
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: You Han
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Sung Wan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Byeongmoon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jeong
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D002208:Caproates; D005612:Freeze Drying; D007783:Lactones; D044367:Phase Transition; D020442:Poloxamer; D011091:Polyesters / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002208:Caproates; D007783:Lactones; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C502908:poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol); D020442:Poloxamer; C016240:polycaprolactone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C121056:caprolactone