Biomacromolecules · 2007 · 62 citations · 38 references
EngineeringMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceBiomaterialsPolymer ChemistryPolymer EngineeringMembrane FabricationMembrane MaterialsPhase InversionPolymer MembranesPolymeric MembranesPolymerization ChemistryGlucose TransportPore Size ControlPore Size RegulationPorous MembranesPorous PolymersResponsive MembranesSmart BiomaterialsWater Uptake
Stimuli‑responsive polymers are crucial for designing smart biomaterials. The study synthesized thermo‑responsive triblock copolymers of polycaprolactone and poly(N‑isopropylacrylamide) via atom‑transfer radical polymerization. The copolymers were cast by phase‑inversion in water into porous membranes with uniform pores, whose size and porosity were tuned by P(NIPAAm) content and inversion temperature, and whose thermo‑responsiveness was demonstrated by temperature‑dependent water uptake and glucose transport. These temperature‑sensitive membranes with controllable morphology could be applied to biomedical engineering, drug delivery, and tissue engineering.
Stimuli-responsive polymers are of crucial importance in the design of smart biomaterials. The thermo-responsive triblock copolymers of polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly( N-isopropylacrylamide) (P(NIPAAm)), or P(NIPAAm)- b-PCL- b- P(NIPAAm) copolymers, were synthesized in this work via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The P(NIPAAm)- b-PCL- b-P(NIPAAm) copolymers were cast by phase inversion in water into porous membranes with well-defined and uniformly distributed pores. The P(NIPAAm) content in the P(NIPAAm)- b-PCL- b- P(NIPAAm) copolymers and the temperature of the aqueous medium for phase inversion could be used to control the pore size and porosity of the membranes. The thermo-responsive characteristics of the membranes were illustrated in the controlled water uptake and temperature-dependent glucose transport through the membranes. These temperature-sensitive membranes with controllable morphology have potential applications in biomedical engineering, drug delivery, and tissue engineering.
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Mechanisms and Kinetics of Thermal Degradation of Poly(ε-caprolactone)
Olivier Persenaire, Michaël Alexandre, Philippe Degée et al. · Biomacromolecules · 2001 · 427 citations
Tristan I. Croll, Andrea J. O’Connor, Geoffrey W. Stevens et al. · Biomacromolecules · 2004 · 396 citations