Structured degradable poly(ether) hydrogels based on linear bifunctional macromonomers

Hydrogels based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) are suitable materials for numerous biomedical applications. Among the different ways to design such hydrogels, homopolymerization of bifunctional PEO macromonomers represents a promising approach. The present work discusses the extension of this crosslinking procedure to prepare degradable hydrogels. Poly(1,3-dioxolane) (PDXL) hydrogels were synthesized directly in water (or in organic solvents) by free-radical homopolymerization of α,ω-methacryloyloxy PDXL macromonomers. They were investigated as gels swollen to equilibrium in THF CH 2 Cl 2 or in water. In each case, the amount of extractable material, the extent of equilibrium swelling and the uniaxial compression modulus were determined. Nethertheless, PDXL chains contain acetal groups sensitive to acidic degradation. Hydrogels constituted of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chains containing a short central PDXL block were obtained from α,ω-methacryloyloxy PEO-block-1,3-PDXL-block-PEO macromonomers. The variation of the mechanical properties of pure PDXL networks, when placed in acidic media, was followed by uniaxial compression modulus measurements.