We synthesized a series of oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA) microgel systems with defined size and crosslinking density by tuning the reaction temperature and amount of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) crosslinker. We studied the deformability, surface pattern and degradation of these microgels by Dynamic Light Scattering, Atomic Force Microscope and Resistive Pulse Sensors. Their deformability, translocation through smaller pores and hence the spreading on surface depends on polymer concentration and network flexibility inside the particles. We found that microgels prepared without any crosslinker exhibit very low crosslinking density which is tunable by reaction temperature. The deformability of self-crosslinked microgel prepared at high temperature is comparable with microgel prepared with 5% PEGDA. We studied how the particle deformability dictates their assembly on functionalized glass surface (Fig. 1 a and b). We also studied their accelerated degradation (Fig. 1 c and d) and found that the rate of degradation not only depends on the amount of crosslinker but also on the extent of chain transfer reaction happened during the synthesis. This study will help us build future microgel-based biocompatible dynamic system with controlled flexibility, porosity and functionality for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications.

Tuning the properties of oligo ethylene glycol and poly (<i>N</i>-isopropylacrylamide) microgel for future biomedical applications

251st National Meeting (2016)

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Tuning the properties of oligo ethylene glycol and poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) microgel for future biomedical applications