Photo-degradable polymers are of significant interest in the field of biomaterials because the degradation can be initiated by exposure to UV light and provides an alternative mechanism to hydrolysis. Here we report our work developing nanoporous biodegradable biomaterials through block copolymer assembly and photolytic degradation. We have developed a block copolymer system composed of polycaprolactone fumarate-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PCLF-b-PMMA) linked via a photodegradable initiator. We report the synthesis of novel PCLF-b-PMMA branched block copolymers, and demonstrate that these block copolymers assemble into ordered nanomaterials in the solid state. After assembly, we show that these polymeric scaffolds can be selectively degraded by UV exposure. The UV degradation does not degrade the PCLF, but breaks the covalent bond between PCLF and PMMA and allows for selective removable of the PMMA. This work describes a new approach to creating nanoporous biomaterials.

Development of photo degradable polycaprolactone fumarate block copolymers

243rd National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.