Synthesis of novel stimuli-responsive polyglycerol-based hydrogels

Temperature and pH-responsive polyglycerol-based hydrogels were successfully synthesized and characterized. An increase in polyglycerol molecular weight was achieved by cross-linking polyglycerol using multifunctional electrophilic epoxide-containing compounds. The chemical structure of polyglycerol-based hydrogels was determined by FTIR spectroscopy. The temperature-dependent swelling behavior of the hydrogels was studied at 293, 310, 333, and 353?K and a negative temperature-sensitive system was observed. The hydrogels exhibited pH sensitivity at pH 4, 7, and 10. The hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of these hydrogels make them suitable for pharmaceutical, biomedical, and biotechnological applications. They could potentially serve as a replacement for fossil-based poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels.