Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
835 | Acta Biomaterialia | 2013 | 10 Pages |
In the present paper we report for the first time the development of redox-responsive biocompatible polymer gels. Double cross-linked poly(aspartic acid) hydrogels were prepared using two different cross-linking agents simultaneously. One of the cross-linkers was diaminobutane (DAB), the other cystamine (CYS). The relative amounts of DAB and CYS molecules were varied over a wide range while the total amount of cross-linker molecules (DAB + CYS) was kept constant. DAB provides stable cross-links, whereas CYS contains disulfide bonds, which can be broken by reduction. The cleavage of disulfide cross-links results in enhanced swelling and a significant decrease in the elastic modulus of the gels. These novel types of stimuli-responsive gels are promising candidates for new swelling controlled release matrices.
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