title: Preparation of hydrogels via ultrasonic polymerization.
abstract: Several acrylic hydrogels were prepared via ultrasonic polymerization of water soluble monomers and macromonomers. Ultrasound was used to create initiating radicals in viscous aqueous monomer solutions using the additives glycerol, sorbitol or glucose in an open system at 37 degrees C. The water soluble additives were essential for the hydrogel production, glycerol being the most effective. Hydrogels were prepared from the monomers 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate, dextran methacrylate, acrylic acid/ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and acrylamide/bis-acrylamide. For example a 5% w/w solution of dextran methacrylate formed a hydrogel in 6.5min in a 70% w/w solution of glycerol in water at 37 degrees C with 20kHz ultrasound, 56Wcm(-2). The ultrasonic polymerization method described here has a wide range of applications such a biomaterial synthesis where initiators are not desired.
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, Clayton VIC, Australia. Pete.Cass@csiro.au
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cass
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Knower
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pereeia
authors.forename: Natalie P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D002621:Chemistry / Q000379:methods*; D003911:Dextrans / Q000737:chemistry; D004867:Equipment Design; D005947:Glucose / Q000737:chemistry; D005990:Glycerol / Q000737:chemistry; D006358:Hot Temperature; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000737:chemistry; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013696:Temperature; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D020100:Hydrogels; D008689:Methacrylates; D011108:Polymers; D013012:Sorbitol; C005044:hydroxyethyl methacrylate; D005947:Glucose; D005990:Glycerol