Contact
    Start Publications Optically Transparent, Amphiphilic Networks Based on Blends of ...
    ←  Publication Finder
    Attension

    Optically Transparent, Amphiphilic Networks Based on Blends of Perfluoropolyethers and Poly(ethylene glycol)

    Year: 2008

    Journal: J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2008, 130 (43), pp 14244–14252, 20111221

    Authors: Zhaokang Hu, Liang Chen, Douglas E. Betts, Ashish Pandya, Marc A. Hillmyer and Joseph M. DeSimone

    Organizations: Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, Department of Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, and Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455

    Amphiphilic networks of perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) have been achieved to yield optically transparent, mechanically robust films over a wide range of compositions. Telechelic diols of these oligomers were transformed to a photocurable dimethacryloxy form (DMA) and free radically cured at various composition weight ratios to yield free-standing films. Clear and colorless amphiphilic networks could be achieved when low molar mass versions of both the PFPE-DMA (1 kg/mol) and the PEG-DMA (550 g/mol) were used. The bulk morphologies of the samples were extensively characterized by a variety of techniques including ultraviolet−visible spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanic thermal analysis, small-angle X-ray scattering, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and optical microscopy, which strongly suggest that nanoscopic to macroscopic phase-separated materials could be achieved. By incorporating a threshold amount of PFPEs into PEG-based hydrogel networks, water swelling could be significantly reduced, which may offer a new strategy for a number of medical device applications. Along these lines, strong inhibition of nonspecific protein adsorption could be achieved with these amphiphilic network materials compared with an oligo(ethylene glycol)-based self-assembled monolayer coated surface.