Polymer Science Faculty Research
Title
A Library of Thermoresponsive, Coacervate-Forming Biodegradable Polyesters
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Summer 6-12-2015
Abstract
We report on a new class of thermoresponsive biodegradable polyesters (TR-PE) inspired by polyacrylamides and elastin-like proteins (ELPs). The polyesters display reversible phase transition with tunable cloud point temperatures (Tcp) in aqueous solution as evidenced by UV–vis spectroscopy, 1H NMR, and DLS measurements. These polyesters form coacervate droplets above their lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The Tcp of the polyesters is influenced by the solutes such as urea, SDS, and NaCl. The Tcp of the copolymers shows a linear correlation with the composition of the polyesters indicating the ability to tune the phase change temperature. We also show that such thermoresponsive coacervates are capable of encapsulating small molecules such as Nile Red. Furthermore, the polyesters are hydrolytically degradable.
Publication Title
Macromolecules
Volume
48
Issue
12
First Page
3834
Last Page
3842
Recommended Citation
Swanson, John P.; Monteleone, Leanna R.; Haso, Fadi; Costanzo, Philip J.; Liu, Tianbo; and Joy, Abraham, "A Library of Thermoresponsive, Coacervate-Forming Biodegradable Polyesters" (2015). Polymer Science Faculty Research. 847.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/polymerscience_ideas/847