Polymer Bulletin, Vol.71, No.9, 2421-2435, 2014
Partially biobased polyamphiphile-bearing reactive epoxy groups in the side chains and its application to the hydrogel
Partially biobased polyamphiphile-bearing reactive epoxy groups in the side chains were obtained in 62-78 % yields by a radical copolymerization of limonene oxide (LO) and PEG methylacrylate (PEGA) with different feed ratios. Degree of LO incorporation into the copolymer was determined as 12-23 % by H-1 NMR spectroscopic analysis. The copolymer having LO unit:PEGA unit = 19:81 formed polymer associates in water, particle diameter of which was ranged mainly from 4 to 66 nm and hydrodynamic mean diameter was 12.3 nm. Its critical micelle concentration was determined as 0.53 g/L by fluorescence spectroscopic analysis. A cross-linking reaction of the epoxy groups in the side chains was conducted with 3.97 mol% (to the epoxy group) of branched poly(ethylene imine) as a cross-linker to give the corresponding hydrogel in 56 % yield. The hydrogel can absorb water as much as 13 times its own mass.
Keywords:Biobased polymers;Limonene oxide;Epoxides;Polymer associates;Hydrogels;Cross-linking reaction