Preparation, Properties and Cell Biocompatibility of Room Temperature LCST-Hydrogels Based on Thermoresponsive PEO Stars

A series of star and linear polymers based on a poly(ethylene oxide) core and poly(diethylene glycol ethyl ether acrylate) outer arms were synthesised by atom-transfer radical polymerization. The polydispersity of the polymers were low, showing good control of initiation and growth. They all showed lower critical solution (LCST) behaviour, and at 30% concentration most gelled at or below room temperature. The behaviour depended on the number and length of the arms, with the polymers with longer arms gelling at a lower temperature and producing stiffer gels. The shear modulus of the gels varied between 1 and 48 kPa, with the gelling temperature varying between 16 and 23 degrees C. Attempted cell cultures with the polymers proved unsuccessful, which was determined to be due to the high concentration of polymers needed for gelling.

Automated summary

A series of star and linear polymers based on a poly(ethylene oxide) core and poly(diethylene glycol ethyl ether acrylate) outer arms were synthesised by atom-transfer radical polymerization. These polymers exhibited low polydispersity and LCST behavior, with gelation occurring at different temperatures depending on the concentration.