Synthesis and characterization of temperature-sensitive smart hydrogel of polyethylene glycol

In this research, the synthesis of a smart biodegradable triblock copolymer of polyethylene glycol-poly-ε-caprolactone-polyethylene glycol (PEG-PCL-PEG) was performed through ring-opening copolymerization. Copolymer properties by visual observations, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (۱H-NMR) analyzes were investigated. Based on the results of FTIR analysis and ۱H-NMR analysis, the correctness of PEG-PCL-PEG copolymer synthesis was proved. Also, according to observations, it was found that the temperature range of sol-gel phase transition can be different, which may affect the application of hydrogel.

Keywords:

Temperature-sensitive hydrogel , Smart hydrogel , Polyethylene glycol , Polycaprolactone , Copolymer