Study of pH-responsive microgels containing methacrylic acid : effects of particle composition and added calcium

pH-responsive microgel dispersions contain cross-linked polymer particles that swell when the pH approaches the pKa of the ionic monomer incorporated within the particles. In recent work from our group, it was demonstrated that the mechanical properties of degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs) cou...

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Veröffentlicht in:Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids. - 1992. - 24(2008), 6 vom: 18. März, Seite 2834-40
1. Verfasser: Dalmont, Helene (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Pinprayoon, Orawan, Saunders, Brian R
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2008
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids
Schlagworte:Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Gels Methacrylates Polymers methacrylic acid 1CS02G8656 Calcium SY7Q814VUP
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:pH-responsive microgel dispersions contain cross-linked polymer particles that swell when the pH approaches the pKa of the ionic monomer incorporated within the particles. In recent work from our group, it was demonstrated that the mechanical properties of degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs) could be restored to normal values by injection of pH-responsive microgel dispersions (Saunders, J. M.; Tong, T.; LeMaitre, C.; Freemont, A. J.; Saunders, B. R. Soft Matter 2007, 3, 486). These dispersions change from a fluid to a gel with increasing pH. The present work investigates the pH-dependent properties of dispersions of microgel particles containing MAA (methacrylic acid) and also the effects of added Ca2+. Two microgels are discussed: microgel A is poly(EA/MAA/AM) (EA and AM are ethyl acrylate and allyl methacrylate), and microgel B is poly(EA/MAA/BDDA) (butanediol diacrylate). The pH-dependent particle properties investigated include hydrodynamic diameters and electrophoretic mobilities. The critical coagulation concentrations (CCC) of dilute dispersions and the elastic modulus (G') of concentrated, gelled microgel dispersions were also investigated. In the absence of added Ca2+, the particle swelling and G' were smallest and largest, respectively, for microgel A. The changes in hydrodynamic diameter and mobility with pH were explained in terms of a core-shell swelling mechanism. Added Ca2+ was found to significantly decrease the CCCs, extents of particle swelling, and magnitude of the electrophoretic mobility. This was attributed to the ionic cross-linking of neighboring RCOO- groups by Ca2+. It is suggested that the formation of ionic cross-links is inefficient within the microgel particles because of the presence of covalent cross-links that oppose the large-scale conformational rearrangement of neighboring RCOO- groups. The effect of Ca2+ on the properties of the gelled dispersions is important from the viewpoint of potential application in vivo. Rheological studies of the gelled microgel dispersions showed that added Ca2+ did not have a specific influence on G'. The differences observed in the presence of Ca2+ were attributed to ionic strength effects (screening). The key parameter that controls G' of the gelled microgel dispersions is pH. The results from this work suggest that the elasticity of the gels would be slightly reduced in vivo as a consequence of the high ionic strength present
Beschreibung:Date Completed 14.05.2008
Date Revised 21.11.2013
published: Print-Electronic
Citation Status MEDLINE
ISSN:1520-5827
DOI:10.1021/la703597a