Sterilizable gels from thermoresponsive block copolymer worms

J Am Chem Soc. 2012 Jun 13;134(23):9741-8. doi: 10.1021/ja3024059. Epub 2012 May 31.

Abstract

Biocompatible hydrogels have many applications, ranging from contact lenses to tissue engineering scaffolds. In most cases, rigorous sterilization is essential. Herein we show that a biocompatible diblock copolymer forms wormlike micelles via polymerization-induced self-assembly in aqueous solution. At a copolymer concentration of 10.0 w/w %, interworm entanglements lead to the formation of a free-standing physical hydrogel at 21 °C. Gel dissolution occurs on cooling to 4 °C due to an unusual worm-to-sphere order-order transition, as confirmed by rheology, electron microscopy, variable temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and scattering studies. Moreover, this thermo-reversible behavior allows the facile preparation of sterile gels, since ultrafiltration of the diblock copolymer nanoparticles in their low-viscosity spherical form at 4 °C efficiently removes micrometer-sized bacteria; regelation occurs at 21 °C as the copolymer chains regain their wormlike morphology. Biocompatibility tests indicate good cell viabilities for these worm gels, which suggest potential biomedical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival
  • Gels / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Micelles
  • Phase Transition
  • Polymerization
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Sterilization*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Gels
  • Micelles
  • Polymers