Spatiotemporal control of synergistic gel disintegration consisting of boroxole- and glyco-based polymers via photoinduced proton transfer

J Phys Chem B. 2015 Feb 12;119(6):2323-9. doi: 10.1021/jp506478p. Epub 2014 Sep 29.

Abstract

We demonstrate here a local- and remote-control of gel disintegration by using photoinduced proton transfer chemistry of photoacid generator (PAG). The gels were prepared by simply mixing two polymers, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-5-methacrylamido-1,2-benzoxaborole) (P(NIPAAm-co-MAAmBO)) and poly(3-gluconamidopropyl methacrylamide) (PGAPMA) via the synergistic interaction of benzoxaborole and diol groups. The o-nitrobenzaldehyde (o-NBA) was then loaded into the gel as a PAG. The benzoxaborole-diol interaction was successfully disintegrated upon UV irradiation due to the local pH decrease inside the gel. When the gel was irradiated to a specific gel region, the synergistic interactions were disintegrated only at the exposed region. Of special interest is that the whole material eventually transitioned from gel to sol state, as the generated protons diffused gradually toward the nonilluminated region. The ability of the proposed gel-sol transition system via photoinduced proton diffusion may be beneficial for not only prompt pH changes within the gel but also the design of predictive and programmable devices for drug delivery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins / chemistry
  • Benzene / chemistry
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Liberation
  • Gels
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Photochemical Processes*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Protons*
  • Spatio-Temporal Analysis
  • Temperature
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Drug Carriers
  • Gels
  • Polymers
  • Protons
  • poly-N-isopropylacrylamide
  • Benzene