Synthesis and characterization of UV curable biocompatible hydrophilic copolymers containing siloxane units

Tissues are highly three-dimensional structure complexes composed of different cell types and their interactions. One of the main challenges in tissue engineering is the inability to produce large, highly perfused scaffolds in which cells can grow at a high cell density and viability. Poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) is used as a flexible, biocompatible cell culture substrate with tunable mechanical properties. However, its fragility and hydrophobicity still pose a challenge. Here, we present a new strategy for the three-step one-pot synthesis of novel biocompatible hydrophilic copolymers containing siloxane units. In the first step, free radical copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA), butyl methacrylate (BMA), and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was carried out in dioxane (DO) solution in the presence of 2,2'-azodiisobutyronitrile (AIBN). In the second step, the copolymers were modified with diepoxypropoxypropyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (DE-PDMS), and in the third step, the copolymers were additionally modified with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The modified copolymers were characterized by FTIR, NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Films of modified copolymers were prepared by UV curing. SEM studies revealed microphase separated morphology with distribution of PDMS domains. The mechanical properties of the films depended on the amount of incorporated silicone modifier. The films were more hydrophilic than PDMS films. All novel copolymers showed high biocompatibility.