title: Characteristics of precipitation-formed polyethylene glycol microgels are controlled by molecular weight of reactants.
abstract: This work describes the formation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microgels via a photopolymerized precipitation reaction. Precipitation reactions offer several advantages over traditional microsphere fabrication techniques. Contrary to emulsion, suspension, and dispersion techniques, microgels formed by precipitation are of uniform shape and size, i.e. low polydispersity index, without the use of organic solvents or stabilizers. The mild conditions of the precipitation reaction, customizable properties of the microgels, and low viscosity for injections make them applicable for in vivo purposes. Unlike other fabrication techniques, microgel characteristics can be modified by changing the starting polymer molecular weight. Increasing the starting PEG molecular weight increased microgel diameter and swelling ratio. Further modifications are suggested such as encapsulating molecules during microgel crosslinking. Simple adaptations to the PEG microgel building blocks are explored for future applications of microgels as drug delivery vehicles and tissue engineering scaffolds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Akron.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stukel
authors.forename: Abrar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: AlNiemi
authors.forename: Rebecca Kuntz
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Willits
mesh_terms: D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry; D008970:Molecular Weight; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D058105:Polymerization; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols