Ionic copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) exhibiting sol-gel transitions in aqueous solutions were investigated. The studies were aimed at understanding of the structure-property relationship in design of injectable, in situ forming gels for potential biomedical applications in delivery of therapeutics and tissue engineering. Aqueous solutions of NIPA ionic copolymers were found to flow freely at ambient temperatures and formed soft gels with controlled syneresis above 32°C, the lower critical solution temperature of NIPA. The sol-gel transitions and temperature dependent properties of the resulting gels were analyzed using dynamic rheometry, UV and IR spectrometry, and were found to be controlled by the molecular weight and composition of copolymers, ionization state of comonomers, and composition of aqueous solvent.
Revised: April 30, 2008 |
Published: April 1, 2008
Citation
Krzyminski K.J., M. Jasionowski, and A. Gutowska. 2008.Reversible Sol-Gel Transitions in Aqueous Solutions of N-Isopropylacrylamide Ionic Copolymers.Polymer International 57, no. 4:592-604.PNNL-SA-45067.