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Synthesis and characterization of hydrogels containing biodegradable polymers
Author(s) -
Cretu Adina,
Kipping Martin,
Adler HansJürgen,
Kuckling Dirk
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.2423
Subject(s) - macromonomer , copolymer , methacrylate , materials science , biocompatibility , polymer , biodegradation , self healing hydrogels , polymer chemistry , amphiphile , drug delivery , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , chemistry , nanotechnology , composite material , engineering , metallurgy
BACKGROUND: Amphiphilic block and graft copolymers constitute a very interesting class of polymers with potential for biomedical applications, due to their special characteristics, which derive from the combination of properties of hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties. In this work, the synthesis and biodegradation of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐ graft ‐poly( L ‐lactide) are studied. RESULTS: The graft copolymers were synthesized using the macromonomer technique. In a first step, methacryloyl‐terminated poly( L ‐lactide) macromonomers were synthesized in a wide molecular weight range using different catalysts. Subsequently, these macromonomers were copolymerized with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate in order to obtain a graft copolymer. These new materials resemble hydrogel scaffolds with a biodegradable component. The biodegradation was studied in hydrolytic and enzymatic environments. The influence of different parameters (molecular weight, crystallinity, ratio between hydrophilic and hydrophobic components) on the degradation rate was investigated. CONCLUSION: Based on this study it will be possible to tailor the release properties of biodegradable materials. In addition, the materials will show good biocompatibility due to the hydrophilic poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel scaffold. This kind of material has potential for many applications, like controlled drug‐delivery systems or biodegradable implants. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry