Tuning the thermoresponsive properties of hyperbranched poly(ester amide)s based on diisopropanolamine and cyclic dicarboxylic anhydrides

Abstract

A range of water-soluble hyperbranched poly(ester amide)s has been synthesized with a view to studying their thermoresponsive behavior in water. Poly(ester amide)s with lower critical solution temperature (LCST) values around physiological temperatures are of interest for biological and medical applications, whereas poly(ester amide)s with high LCST values may be useful as kinetic hydrate inhibitors for high salinity produced fluids in the oil and gas industry. The LCST of these polymers was measured as the optical cloud point. The LCST can be tuned in various ways for these applications, for example, by varying the hydrophobicity of the groups on the cyclic anhydride monomer or by adjusting the hydrophilicity of the imine used to make the peripheral groups of the polymer.

Tuning the thermoresponsive properties of poly(oligo(propylene glycol) methacrylate) hydrogels via gradient copolymerization with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate

“…The most studied thermoresponsive polymers are linear polyvinyl polymers, exemplified by poly(N isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), which has an LCST of about 32°C, close to physiological temperatures [3,12]. Other polymers with LCSTs include other poly(N-alkylacrylamides), poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s, poly(2-oxazine)s, polyethers, polyvinyl ether, poly (dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), and poly(alkylene glycol)s [2,3].…”

“…Among them, thermoresponsive polymeric materials have gained considerable attention during the last decade on account of the importance of temperature in biomedical and other systems; significant scientific interest has been focused on the fabrication and investigation of these materials for use in fields such as drug delivery, sensors, separation systems, and catalysts [1][2][3]. Careful engineering of the polymeric structure is needed to fine-tune the responding temperature as well as the sharpness of transition [4].…”

“…Other polymers with LCSTs include other poly(N-alkylacrylamides), poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s, poly(2-oxazine)s, polyethers, polyvinyl ether, poly (dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), and poly(alkylene glycol)s [2,3]. Poly(alkylene glycol)s (PAGs), also known as poly (alkylene oxide)s, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), and their copolymers are well known due to their thermoresponsive behavior [13][14][15][16]; a variety of PAG copolymers with LCSTs varying from 20 to 85°C are commercially available.…”

Smart poly(oligo(propylene glycol) methacrylate) hydrogel prepared by gamma radiation

“…The most studied thermoresponsive polymers are linear polyvinyl polymers exemplified by poly(N isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), which has a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of about 32°C, close to physiological temperatures [4,5]. Other polymers with LCSTs include other poly(N-alkylacrylamides), poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s, poly ( glycol)s, etc.…”

“…Other polymers with LCSTs include other poly(N-alkylacrylamides), poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline)s, poly ( glycol)s, etc. [1,4]. Poly(alkylene glycol)s, also known as poly(alkylene oxide)s, such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG), and their copolymers are well known due to their thermoresponsive behaviour; a variety of PEG and PPG copolymers with LCSTs varying from 20 to 85°C are commercially available.…”