Do the properties of gels constructed by interlinking triply-responsive microgels follow from those of the building blocks?

• DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01510d
• Publication Date: 2018-11-09T08:36:29Z
• Authors: Dongdong Lu; Mingning Zhu; Wenkai Wang; Shanglin Wu; Brian R. Saunders; Daman J. Adlam; Judith A. Hoyland; Cornelius Hofzuma...; Stefanie Schneider; Katharina Landfester
• Keywords: Models, Molecular; Polymers; Surface Properties; Molecular Conformation; 02 engineering and technology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Photochemical Processes; Methacrylates; Particle Size; 0210 nano-technology; Gels; Mechanical Phenomena

Microgels (MGs) are swellable crosslinked polymer colloids. They can also be used as the only building block to construct nanostructured hydrogels which denoted doubly microgels (DX MGs). Here, new triply responsive DX MGs comprised of interlinked oligo(ethylene glycol)methacrylate (OEGMA), 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate (MEO2MA), methacrylic acid (MAA) and a o-nitrobenzyl-based UV photocleavable crosslinker investigated. The swelled or collapsed in response temperature pH changes. These behaviours were rationalised with generic model using Monte Carlo simulations. degraded when irradiated due photocleavage nPh. assembled from give injectable gels that not cytotoxic nucleus pulposus cells. Comparison properties showed responses former mostly governed by latter. However, two key differences found. Firstly, whilst increasing mol% MG blocks (x) did change particle swelling, compression modulus (E) swelling strongly affected x. E value for was tuneable x is potentially useful observation MGs. Secondly, irradiation enhanced gel mechanical photostability contrast behaviour We find do simply follow those parent propose mechanisms account differences. family multi-responsive presented this study have potential application soft tissue repair implants report sterilisation.