Synthesis and characterization of new biodegradable gels based on 2,2 '-(ethylenedioxy) diethanethiol and pentaerythritol triacrylate

Abstract

The work is devoted to the synthesis and characterization of gels based on the monomers pentaerythritol triaacrylate (PETriA) and 2,2 '-(ethylenedioxy)diethanethiol (EDODET) by thiol-ene "click" polymerization. The properties of the obtained gels were investigated by IR, Raman spectroscopy, mechanical analysis. Sol-gel analysis of obtained networks was carried out and the degradability was investigated. The results of IR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of -C = O and -C-O-C- groups in the composition of the obtained gels. The presence of unreacted C = C bonds conjugated with C = O, as well as thiol groups, varies depending on the composition of the initial monomer mixture (IMM). Raman spectroscopy results correlate well with IR data. Raman spectra also show C-S, S-S and SH characteristic bands that are difficult to identify by IR spectroscopy. It was found that the composition of MM affects the physicochemical properties of the synthesized gels. The highest yield of the gel fraction of obtained polymers was found in samples with an equimolar composition of IMM. The analysis of mechanical properties showed that gels with an excess of PETriA exhibit more elastic properties, and an excess of EDODET leads to the formation of networks with a higher crosslinking density. The study of the ability of obtained PETria-EDODET gels to degrade in a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide showed that the polymer network degrades by 12% within 60 days. This property of the obtained gels can find application in the creation of targeted drug delivery systems with their prolonged release.