Biodegradable stimuli-responsive hydrogels based on amphiphilic polyaspartamides with tertiary amine pendent groups

• Published in: Polymer international 2010-05, Vol.59 (5), p.630-636
• Main Authors: Moon, Jong Rok, Kim, Ji-Heung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; biodegradable; Exact sciences and technology; hydrogel; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; polyaspartamide; Properties and characterization; responsive polymer; Solution and gel properties
• ISSN: 0959-8103; 1097-0126
• DOI: 10.1002/pi.2740

Novel thermo‐ and pH‐responsive hydrogels based on amphiphilic polyaspartamides possessing a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) and a volume‐phase transition were prepared and characterized. The polyaspartamide derivatives were synthesized from polysuccinimide, which is the polycondensate of L‐aspartic acid monomer, through successive ring‐opening reactions using hydrophobic 2‐diisopropylaminoethylamine and hydrophilic ethanolamine. The amphiphilic copolymer was then crosslinked with hexamethylene diisocyanate to afford the corresponding gel. The LCST of the copolymer in an aqueous solution was varied by changing both the graft composition and pH of the medium. The crosslinked gels showed stimuli‐responsive behavior, with their degree of swelling and porous structure morphology changing with temperature and pH. In addition, hydrolytic degradation depending on the crosslinking density of the hydrogel was examined. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry Novel stimuli‐responsive hydrogels based on amphiphilic polyaspartamides with both diisopropylaminoethyl and hydroxyethyl pendants were prepared and characterized. Lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior of the copolymers in aqueous solution and dual‐responsive (temperature and pH) volume transition of the crosslinked hydrogels were examined.