Abstract
A thermosensitive biodegradable homopolymer with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) at body temperature was developed, with a poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) backbone and oligoethylene glycol (OEG). The novel monomer was designed by the direct connection of OEG into trimethylene carbonate (TMC), and no other functional groups exist in the polymer structure. Such a well-defined monomer unit contributed to its homogeneous characteristics. Three units of ethylene glycol in the TMC derivative resulted in a water-soluble nature at room temperature, and the solution became cloudy at higher temperatures. The LCST ranged from 31 to 35 °C and was influenced by the molecular weight and polymer concentration. Four units of ethylene glycol, however, increased the LCST temperature to 72 °C. It is noteworthy that the present characteristics, thermosensitivity at body temperature, biodegradablility, and a well-defined homopolymer structure, are promising for biomedical applications as an essential material.
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