Photocrosslinking of Polyglycidol and Its Derivative: Route to Thermoresponsive Hydrogels

Abstract

Hydrogels of biologically well-tolerated, high-molar-mass polyglycidol (PGl) and its thermoresponsive derivative poly(glycidol-co-ethyl glycidyl carbamate) have been obtained by direct UV crosslinking in the solid state. Polymers with molar masses up to 1.45 × 10 g mol were crosslinked in the presence of benzophenone or (4-benzoylbenzyl)trimethylammonium chloride as photosensitizers. The photosensitizer concentration was varied from 2 to 10 wt%. The influence of polymer composition and photosensitizer type and amount on the crosslinking efficiency, swelling and temperature behavior of the obtained hydrogels was investigated. The photocrosslinking of PGl and poly(glycidol-co-ethyl glycidyl carbamate) led to hydrogels with swelling degrees up to 1700%. The swelling degrees of the hydrogels decreased with the increase of the environmental temperature indicating the thermoresponsive nature of gels. The swelling of obtained gels can be controlled by varying the composition of the copolymer precursor and by the network density.

Nanoporous Block Copolymer Membranes with Enhanced Solvent Resistance Via UV‐Mediated Cross‐Linking Strategies

“…[ 30 ] Additionally, the benzophenone moieties are known for their efficient cross‐linking capabilities upon UV‐irradiation, without the necessity of the addition of radical starters or catalysts. [ 22,23,31–33 ] Within this study, the benzophenone moiety was additionally incorporated as an UV cross‐linkable monomer to avoid leaching during application of the SNIPS process and to avoid any potential gradients of the small molecule within the final membrane structure. Moreover, the BPMA was only incorporated into the matrix‐forming block segment of the membrane so that the pore‐forming polar block segment was unaffected.…”

Mono- and Dinuclear Asymmetric Aluminum Guanidinates for the Catalytic CO2 Fixation into Cyclic Carbonates

“…A remarkable result was found for glycerol carbonate (11e), which was obtained in exceptional yield (93%) despite the tendency of glycidol epoxide to generate polymer products. 66,67 Additionally, the highly fluorinated cyclic carbonate 11k was prepared in outstanding yield (85%), this being a cyclic carbonate that presents a potential application as electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries. 28,68 These results indicate that 6/TBAI is an efficient system for the synthesis of monosubstituted cyclic carbonates.…”

The Role of Polymer Structure in Formation of Various Nano- and Microstructural Materials: 30 Years of Research in the Laboratory of Nano- and Microstructural Materials at the Centre of Polymer and Carbon Materials PAS

“…Photocrosslinking was used to prepare hydrogels from homopolymers of glycidol and its thermoresponsive derivatives [ 112 , 113 ]. For that purpose, polymer mixtures with benzophenone (BP) or with its derivative (4-benzoylbenzyl) trimethylammonium chloride (BBTMAC), used as photosensitizers, were subjected to UV irradiation [ 113 ]. Upon absorption of a photon, BP or BBTMAC undergo photodissociation into radicals able to generate radicals on a polymer chain.…”

“…Crosslinking occurs only in this microphase, and the ice crystals act as porogens. Such a procedure allowed us to minimize the exposure time and limited the possible degradation of the polymer compared to photocrosslinking without freezing [ 112 , 113 ]. Cryogels exhibited higher mechanical strength and a much faster reaction (seconds) to hydration and dehydration under temperature changes [ 113 ].…”

“…Such a procedure allowed us to minimize the exposure time and limited the possible degradation of the polymer compared to photocrosslinking without freezing [ 112 , 113 ]. Cryogels exhibited higher mechanical strength and a much faster reaction (seconds) to hydration and dehydration under temperature changes [ 113 ]. The cryogels exhibited satisfying interactions with cells and could be used as scaffolds for cell attachment and growth.…”