Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) star polymer hydrogels were prepared by γ-irradiation of aqueous
solutions of star PEG polymers. The swelling behavior of these gels in deionized water at 37 °C indicated
that the gels prepared from PEG star polymers with a small number of long arms swelled to a greater
extent than those prepared from PEG star polymers with a large number of short arms. PEG star
polymers and branched PEG polymers were modified to incorporate acrylate groups on the ends of the
polymer arms. These acrylated star or branched polymers were copolymerized with poly(ethylene glycol)
diacrylate in the presence of UV light. The ensuing materials swelled to a greater extent than hydrogels
prepared without acrylated star or branched PEG polymers. Number-average molecular weights were
calculated using several rubber elasticity-based theories.
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