Ratcliffe, LPD, Bentley, KJ, Wehr, R et al. (3 more authors) (2017) Cationic disulfide-functionalized worm gels. Polymer Chemistry (38). pp. 5962-5971. ISSN 1759-9954
Abstract
The recent development of polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) has facilitated the rational synthesis of a range of diblock copolymer worms, which hitherto could only be prepared via traditional post-polymerization processing in dilute solution. Herein we explore a new synthetic route to aqueous dispersions of cationic disulfide-functionalized worm gels. This is achieved via the PISA synthesis of poly[(glycerol monomethacrylate-stat-glycidyl methacrylate)]-block-poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) (P(GMA-stat-GlyMA)-PHPMA) block copolymer worms via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) aqueous dispersion polymerization of HPMA. A water-soluble reagent, cystamine, is then reacted with the pendent epoxy groups located within the P(GMA-stat-GlyMA) stabilizer chains to introduce disulfide functionality, while simultaneously conferring cationic character via formation of secondary amine groups. Moreover, systematic variation of the cystamine/epoxy molar ratio enables either chemically cross-linked worm gels or physical (linear) primary amine-functionalized disulfide-based worm gels to be obtained. These new worm gels were characterized using gel permeation chromatography, 1H NMR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, aqueous electrophoresis and rheology. In principle, such hydrogels may offer enhanced mucoadhesive properties.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2017, Royal Society of Chemistry. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Polymer Chemistry. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Chemical & Process Engineering (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 11 Oct 2017 10:47 |
Last Modified: | 14 Oct 2018 00:38 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Royal Society of Chemistry |
Identification Number: | 10.1039/C7PY01306J |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:122347 |