Abstract
Pluronic F127 exhibits thermogelling behaviour at 20–30 °C via a micelle packing mechanism. Disruption of the micelle packing increases the sol-gel temperature, but results in the decrease of modulus. Herein, we reported a method to modify F127 with polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (POSS) to impart a higher gelling temperature without yielding the property and strength of the thermogel. The thermal degradation temperature was enhanced to 15 °C after POSS incorporation and the gelling temperature shifted 10 °C higher, without sacrificing the modulus of the gel. Rheological studies supported the claim that the gel property was reinforced after POSS incorporation. F127-POSS copolymer matrix stored more energy from POSS reinforcement, which saw larger Lissajous curve areas before the collapse of the microstructure for the same amount of stress applied. These results indicated that modification with POSS would raise the sol-gel transition temperature without sacrificing the modulus of the gel.
Highlights
Pluronic F127 is an amphiphilic block copolymer of PEG-PPG-PEG structure (PEG: poly(ethylene glycol); PPG: poly(propylene glycol))
Loh and Wang observed a rise in viscosity from 3.6 to 5.0 Pa·s caused by increasing the Pluronic F127 mass concentration from 0%–3% in a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-doped solution [3]
The polymer was synthesized as shown in Scheme 1
Summary
Pluronic F127 is an amphiphilic block copolymer of PEG-PPG-PEG structure (PEG: poly(ethylene glycol); PPG: poly(propylene glycol)). The use of Pluronic F127 could be vastly applied in pharmaceuticals, protein/drug delivery, and tissue engineering [1] This triblock copolymer exhibited gelation at an elevated temperature, which increased toughness and viscosity of the polymer [2]. Loh and Wang observed a rise in viscosity from 3.6 to 5.0 Pa·s caused by increasing the Pluronic F127 mass concentration from 0%–3% in a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-doped solution [3]. These studies showed that modifications to increase the sol-gel transition temperature would simultaneously decrease the gel modulus, affecting its overall property
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
