Cross-Linked PEG via Degradable Phosphate Ester Bond: Synthesis, Water-Swelling, and Application as Drug Carrier

Abstract

A new series of degradable and water-swellable cross-linked PEG phosphoester polymers (CPPs) based on a facile cross-linked reaction between diphosphoesters of polyethylene glycol (P-PEG-P) and diglycidyl ether of polyethylene glycol (E-PEG-E) has been prepared and characterized. The molecular weights and ratios of the prepolymers played an important role for the properties of CPPs polymers, such as mechanical property, swelling, and degradation rates. In the curing process, the glycidyl ether was consumed by both hydroxyl of the phosphoester (P-OH) and hydroxyl generated from the opened glycidyl ethers (C-OH) with the presence of acid, which generated degradable phosphate esters as cross-linked points and ether bonds as the short branches, respectively. Drug entrapment and release test and biological cytotoxicity studies in vitro suggested that the polymers and generated hydrogels have great potential applications in drug delivery system and biological materials.