Project Title
Using Multi-Step Synthesis for the Production of Hydrogels with Adhesive Properties
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Dr. Lisse
Abstract
Hydrogels behave as natural tissues due to its absorptivity and flexibility. Hydrogels are composed of networks of hydrophilic polymer chains, which make them extremely biocompatible. Today, hydrogels are being used for controlled drug delivery, fluid control, nerve regeneration and tissue engineering. This undergraduate research project will demonstrate the experimental design and multi-step synthesis for the production of remote-activated, polyacrylamide hydrogels utilized for wound care. The first step is the synthesis of the DOPA derivative monomer, N-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenethyl) methacrylamide (DMA). This was achieved a reaction starting material dopamine hydrochloride reacted with methacrylic anhydride, sodium tetraborate decahydrate and sodium bicarbonate. The overall purpose is to successfully synthesize and characterize the copolymer, DMA. The second step in the synthesis is a free radical polymerization of Acrylamide, N-isopropylacrylamide, N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl) methacrylamide, and azobis- (isobutyronitrile) under a nitrogen atmosphere to synthesize Poly(dopamine methacrylamide-co-N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide). This presentation will highlight the experimental design and preliminary results of the project.
Using Multi-Step Synthesis for the Production of Hydrogels with Adhesive Properties
Hydrogels behave as natural tissues due to its absorptivity and flexibility. Hydrogels are composed of networks of hydrophilic polymer chains, which make them extremely biocompatible. Today, hydrogels are being used for controlled drug delivery, fluid control, nerve regeneration and tissue engineering. This undergraduate research project will demonstrate the experimental design and multi-step synthesis for the production of remote-activated, polyacrylamide hydrogels utilized for wound care. The first step is the synthesis of the DOPA derivative monomer, N-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenethyl) methacrylamide (DMA). This was achieved a reaction starting material dopamine hydrochloride reacted with methacrylic anhydride, sodium tetraborate decahydrate and sodium bicarbonate. The overall purpose is to successfully synthesize and characterize the copolymer, DMA. The second step in the synthesis is a free radical polymerization of Acrylamide, N-isopropylacrylamide, N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl) methacrylamide, and azobis- (isobutyronitrile) under a nitrogen atmosphere to synthesize Poly(dopamine methacrylamide-co-N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide). This presentation will highlight the experimental design and preliminary results of the project.