PEG derived hydrogel: A novel synthesis route under mild condition

Abstract PEG derived hydrogels were synthesized by a novel synthesis route under mild condition. First, we synthesized a soluble linear copolymer by amino-terminated polyethylene glycol ATPEG and Pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), named by p (ATPEG -co- PMDA). The copolymer with imide rings on the main chain can be soluble in most of solvents. Then, the imide-rings of the copolymer were open by amino groups of Butanediamine (BDA) under ambient condition to form cross-linking network. The cross-linking network can form in few minutes. The p (ATPEG -co- PMDA) and gels were characterized by 13  C NMR and FTIR. The gels swelled significantly in water, and co-continuous porous structure was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The ring-opening cross-linked reaction of p(ATPEG -co- PMDA) provided a simple, versatile approach to hydrogel network under mild condition without initiator, which have potential as biomaterials to apply in biomedical region.