(Co)polymers of oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylates—temperature‐induced aggregation in aqueous solution

Abstract

The synthesis and aggregation behavior of well‐defined thermosensitive (co)polymers of oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylates (POEGMA) in aqueous solutions were investigated. The cloud points of the POEGMAs solutions were determined by turbidimetry and dynamic light scattering. For POEGMA (co)polymers the cloud point temperature (TCP) increased linearly with increasing content of more hydrophilic comonomer. The mesoglobules formed by POEGMAs in dilute aqueous solutions above TCP were studied by light scattering. The size of mesoglobules depended on the concentration and the heating procedures. The aggregates became smaller with decreasing initial concentration of polymer and increasing rates of temperature change. By selecting the proper heating and dilution procedures, the influence of the (co)polymer structure on the size of the mesoglobules could be determined. The size of the mesoglobules decreased with the length of the OEG side chains and increased with increasing content of more hydrophilic comonomer. The light scattering parameters of the mesoglobules—A2 values and shape factors ${R_{\rm g}\over R_{\rm h}}$—suggested that the hydrophilic OEG side chains placed at the periphery of the mesoglobules in direct contact with the surrounding water controlled the size of mesoglobules and their stability. Shape factors for all POEGMA mesoglobules indicated that the mesoglobules remained highly hydrated after formation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013

Thermoresponsive P(HEMA-co-OEGMA) copolymers: synthesis, characteristics and solution behavior

“…The signicant effect of concentration on T cp for polymers based on monomers from the OEGMA group is usually observed. 15,62 P(HEMA-co-OEGMA)s behavior in PBS solution…”

“…The thermoresponsive polymers that have been examined most thoroughly are poly(Nisopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), 9-11 polyoxazolines 12,13 and (co) polymers of oligoethylene glycol methacrylates (OEGMA). 7,[14][15][16] Thermoresponsive copolymers of OEGMA have been used, for example, for the fabrication of nanocarriers 8,17,18 and as surfaces for cell proliferation and cell detachment. 19,20 For many years, polymers based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) have been intensively studied because of their use in medicine.…”

A novel thermosensitive triblock copolymer from 100% renewably sourced poly(trimethylene ether) glycol

“…The LCST values of the triblock copolymers (30.7–38.4 °C) were lower than that of P(MEO 2 MA‐ stat ‐OEGMA) statistical polymer (42 °C) due to presence of hydrophobic PO3G block. It is noticeable that the LCST value of G 35 ((M‐stat‐O) 90 ) 2 sample is close to human physiological temperature (37.2 °C) which is a key feature for the further application of these triblock copolymers in the drug delivery …”

Conformation–function relationships for the comb-shaped polymer pOEGMA

“…These nanoparticles composed entirely of pOEGMA are stabilized by weak intermolecular associations and re-dissolve readily upon cooling without any noticeable hysteresis. Slow gradual heating through the LCST produced large mesoglobules (100-1000 nm), while smaller ones with narrow size distributions were obtained when the solutions were heated abruptly [48]. Larger mesoglobules were formed at higher concentration, though no clear trend between diameter and pOEGMA composition was observed.…”