PDMS(star)-PEG hydrogels prepared via solvent-induced phase separation (SIPS) and their potential utility as tissue engineering scaffolds. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Inorganic-organic hydrogels based on methacrylated star polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS(star)-MA) and diacrylated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-DA) macromers were prepared via solvent-induced phase separation (SIPS). The macromers were combined in a dichloromethane precursor solution and sequentially photopolymerized, dried and hydrated. The chemical and physical properties of the hydrogels were further tailored by varying the number average molecular weight (M(n)) of PEG-DA (M(n)=3.4k and 6k gmol(-1)) as well as the weight percent ratio of PDMS(star)-MA (M(n)=7k gmol(-1)) to PEG-DA from 0:100 to 20:80. Compared to analogous hydrogels fabricated from aqueous precursor solutions, SIPS produced hydrogels with a macroporous morphology, a more even distribution of PDMS(star)-MA, increased modulus and enhanced degradation rates. The morphology, swelling ratio, mechanical properties, bioactivity, non-specific protein adhesion, controlled introduction of cell adhesion, and cytocompatibility of the hydrogels were characterized. As a result of their tunable properties, this library of hydrogels is useful to study material-guided cell behavior and ultimate tissue regeneration.

published proceedings

  • Acta Biomater

author list (cited authors)

  • Bailey, B. M., Fei, R., Munoz-Pinto, D., Hahn, M. S., & Grunlan, M. A.

citation count

  • 25

complete list of authors

  • Bailey, Brennan M||Fei, Ruochong||Munoz-Pinto, Dany||Hahn, Mariah S||Grunlan, Melissa A

publication date

  • January 2012