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Stereocomplex Mediated Gelation of PEG‐(PLA) 2 and PEG‐(PLA) 8 Block Copolymers
Author(s) -
Hiemstra Christine,
Zhong Zhiyuan,
Dijkstra Pieter J.,
Feijen Jan
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.200550611
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , peg ratio , copolymer , dynamic mechanical analysis , materials science , rheology , polymer chemistry , polymer , chemical engineering , glass transition , composite material , finance , engineering , economics
Stereocomplex mediated hydrogels have been prepared by mixing solutions of polymers of opposite chirality of either PEG‐(PLA) 2 triblock copolymers or PEG‐(PLA) 8 star block copolymers. The critical gel concentrations of the mixed enantiomer solutions were considerably lower compared to polymer solutions containing only the single enantiomer. Moreover, gel‐sol transition temperatures were increased and gel regions were expanded due to stereocomplexation. Rheology measurements showed that stereocomplexed hydrogels based on PEG‐(PLA) 8 have higher storage moduli compared to those based on PEG‐(PLA) 2 . Stereocomplexed hydrogels prepared from 13 wt% PEG‐(PLA) 2 solutions in PBS showed a storage modulus of 0.9 kPa at 37 °C, while at similar conditions stereocomplexed hydrogels of PEG‐(PLA) 8 showed a storage modulus of 1.9 kPa at 10 wt%.