Title

Multi-component hydrophilic-hydrophobic systems from itaconic anhydride

Date of Completion

January 2002

Keywords

Chemistry, Organic|Chemistry, Polymer

Degree

Ph.D.

Abstract

Linear polymers were obtain via the polycondensation reaction of itaconic anhydride with PCL diol, (range of molecular weight from 530 to 2k), and PEG (range of molecular weight from 300 to 4k). DSC analysis of the dry hydrogels suggested that both a crystalline and an amorphous phase coexist within the gels. Swelling studies indicated that the gels followed a first order and that the solvent penetration mechanism was best described by the Fickian diffusion transport. ^ Star compounds were synthesized via bulk polycondensation of itaconic anhydride with a variety of alcohols in the presence of stannous octoate as catalyst. Subsequent covalent cross-linking was successfully achieved with DMPA radical photo initiator. These substrates were also investigated as cross-linking agents for PHEMA and PEGDMA. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of PHEMA increased with the number of itaconate arms. Themostability of the cured PEGDMA was increased by 1–2% weight of cross-linker. ^ Synthesis of ionomer networks based on four-arm itaconate derivatives and four-arm poly(ϵ-caprolactone)itaconates was successfully achieved at room temperature. The derived materials from ITA presented a great potential as carriers for metals cations such as calcium, barium, and yttrium and have potential applications in the biomaterials area. ^

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