Viscoelastic Evaluation of Poly(Trimethylene Carbonate)s Bearing Oligoethylene Glycol Units Which Show Thermoresponsive Properties at Body Temperature

Poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) derivatives have been extensively researched for use as low-toxicity biomaterials. Better biocompatibility and lower toxicity have been achieved by eliminating acid generation from the ester group at the side chains. In this study, thermosensitive PTMC derivatives bearing oligo(ethylene glycol) units were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization for the development of low-toxicity and thermosensitive soft materials. The viscoelastic properties of the obtained polymers were then investigated by rheometry to clarify the thermosensitive and molecular weight effects. Furthermore, thermosensitive behaviors and dynamics of these polymers were observed by UV-vis transmittance, DSC, and 1H NMR spectra analysis. These data suggest a mechanism for the thermosensitive behavior where it was surmised that some kind of dehydration phenomena induced aggregation behavior in aqueous media above lower critical solution temperature (LCST). These thermosensitive behaviors provide an important road map for the development of thermosensitive soft materials using ester free PTMC derivatives by controlling the thermosensitive behaviors and bulk properties.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Yoshiaki Haramiishi, Ryo Kawatani, Nalinthip Chanthaset, Hiroharu Ajiro, Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics. 2019, 220, 12, 1900019., which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.201900019. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.