Optically transparent, amphiphilic networks based on blends of perfluoropolyethers and poly(ethylene glycol)

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

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

78 Scopus citations

Abstract

Amphophilic 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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)14244-14252
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume130
Issue number43
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 29 2008

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