Degradable thermoresponsive polymers which display redox-responsive LCST behaviour.
Daniel J Phillips1, Matthew I Gibson
1Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|December 14, 2011
Summary
New degradable polymers based on poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) exhibit redox-sensitive behavior. Degradation increases the polymer
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) is a well-known thermoresponsive polymer.
- Developing degradable polymers with tunable properties is crucial for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize degradable poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) via disulfide linkages.
- To investigate the impact of degradation on the polymer's solution behavior.
Main Methods:
- Polycondensation of a RAFT-derived telechelic macromonomer.
- Introduction of disulfide bonds for degradability.
- Measurement of lower critical solution temperature (LCST).
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized vinyl-based, degradable poly (N-isopropylacrylamide).
- Polymers exhibited a redox-sensitive LCST.
- Degraded polymer fragments showed a higher LCST compared to the intact polymer.
Conclusions:
- Disulfide crosslinking provides a route to degradable poly (N-isopropylacrylamide).
- The redox-triggered degradation influences the polymer's thermoresponsive behavior.
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