Physicochemical modification of hydroxylated polymers to develop thermosensitive double network hydrogels

Abstract

Due to the unique biophysicochemical characteristics of synthesized superhydrophilic poly[N‐[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl] acrylamide] (PTHMMA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), in this study, we investigated the preparation of physically and chemically crosslinked thermosensitive double network (DN) hydrogels with superior mechanical properties. The effect of the combination of PTHMMA with PVA was further explored experimentally and theoretically. Moreover, adjusting the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PTHMMA/PVA DN hydrogels in the phosphate buffer was achieved by chemical alteration and crosslinking of water‐soluble polymers. Changing the composition and the extent of ether/acetal linkages altered the LCST based on hydrophilic/hydrophobic composition, which decreased the complexity of adjusting hydrogels' temperature sensitivity. PTHMMA‐comprising hydrogels were found to have non‐Fickian and super case ΙΙ transport characters. Moreover, the construction of shrunken PVA at high temperature was tailored by introducing PTHMMA into the network to permit a relaxed drug release of indomethacin (IND) at 37°C and pH 7.4. Finally, the tensile strength, the equilibrium water content, thermo‐sensitivity, and cell viability behaviors suggest that these materials can be tailored for potential applications as biomaterials.

Research Advances in Mechanical Properties and Applications of Dual Network Hydrogels

“…Still, the current difficulty is that the mechanical strength of hydrogels is not enough to achieve the required tensile strength and toughness. Abdolmaleki [ 26 ] synthesized super hydrophilic Poly(tris(hydroxymethyl) meth) methacrylamide)/polyvinyl alcohol (PTHMMA/PVA) hydrogel. It can show drastic expansion changes when stimulated by an external environment.…”

Injectable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels for Cancer Therapy: Challenges and Prospects

“…Physical crosslinking entails the linking of one polymer chain to another to produce a thermosensitive effect through non-covalent bonding. These hydrogels undergo electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, stereocomplexation, and van der Waals forces, which enable them to exhibit a reversible sol-gel response to temperature [15][16][17]. Two key examples are the physical crosslinking of PNIPAM with chitosan and k-carageenan by Pourjavadi and colleagues [18] and the crosslinking of PF-127 with gelatin by Yeh and co-workers [19].…”