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Preparation and pH‐Dependent Properties of Hydrogels Based on Acidic Copolymers with PEG Side Chains and α‐Cyclodextrin
Author(s) -
Stößlein Sebastian,
Grunwald Ingo,
Khachikyan Alexander,
Faßbender Fabian,
Thiel Karsten,
Hartwig Andreas
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201900081
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , methacrylic acid , polymer , methacrylate , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , copolymer , peg ratio , scanning electron microscope , materials science , cyclodextrin , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , finance , economics , engineering
A variety of differently structured PEG‐based polymers can form physically cross‐linked PEG hydrogels with α‐cyclodextrin. The polymer structures strongly influence the properties of the hydrogel and its formation. Four different copolymers of methoxy PEG methacrylate and methacrylic acid are used together with α‐cyclodextrin to study hydrogel formation speed and gel strength. The hydrogels are formed within 1–25 min, and the formation process is examined in situ by dynamic light scattering. The gel formation time is pH dependent due to the methacrylic acid present in the polymers. The gel strength examined by texture analyzer also depends on the composition and pH. With prior mechanical destruction, all hydrogels are dissolvable in an excess of water, being a useful feature for an in vivo usage. By analyzing the structures of the hydrogels with confocal light microscopy (laser scanning confocal microscopy) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) after freeze etching, the different hydrogel structures can be observed.