Rapid photocrosslinkable thermoresponsive injectable polyphosphazene hydrogels
Thrimoorthy Potta1, Changju Chun, Soo-Chang Song
1Division of Life and Health Science, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 305-333, Republic of Korea.
Macromolecular Rapid Communications
|May 14, 2011
Summary
New polyphosphazene polymers offer rapid photocrosslinking for enhanced hydrogel strength. These injectable materials enable quick in situ formation for versatile biomedical delivery applications.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomaterials Science
- Materials Engineering
Background:
- Traditional photocrosslinkable polymers often require prolonged UV exposure, limiting their use in biomedical applications.
- Developing materials with rapid crosslinking kinetics under mild conditions is crucial for in situ formation of hydrogels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize rapidly photocrosslinkable and thermosensitive polyphosphazene polymers.
- To investigate the potential of these polymers for creating dual crosslinked networks with enhanced mechanical properties.
- To evaluate their suitability for in situ biomedical delivery applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of acrylate-functionalized polyphosphazene polymers.
- Investigation of photocrosslinking kinetics under varying UV light intensity and photoinitiator concentration.
- Assessment of mechanical properties and degradation rates of the resulting hydrogels.
- In vitro and in vivo photocrosslinking studies.
Main Results:
- Achieved rapid photocrosslinking of polyphosphazene hydrogels with short UV exposure times (120s in vitro, 180s in vivo).
- Demonstrated dual crosslinking, resulting in enhanced mechanical strength due to acrylate groups and hydrophobic interactions.
- Showcased tunable degradation rates based on the degree of acrylate substitution.
- Confirmed successful in situ formation of injectable hydrogels with desired properties.
Conclusions:
- Rapidly photocrosslinkable and thermosensitive polyphosphazene polymers enable efficient in situ hydrogel formation under mild conditions.
- The dual crosslinked networks offer tunable mechanical properties and degradation profiles.
- These acrylated poly(organophosphazenes) show significant promise for biomedical delivery of biologics, cells, and drugs.
