Thermogelling supramolecular sponge as self-healing and biocompatible hydrogel

Abstract

Block copolymers have a general chemical structure of one of the formulas [A]n-[B]m and [B]n-[A]m, wherein [A] is a poly(2-oxazine) and wherein [B] is a poly(2-oxazoline). The block copolymers have desired thermogelling and rheological properties and are useful as carrier materials for active ingredients such as drugs, cells, proteins, and other active ingredients.

1 . A block copolymer having a general chemical structure of one of the following formulas:
   [A] n -[B] m  and [B] n -[A] m      
       wherein [A] is a poly(2-oxazine) and wherein [B] is a poly(2-oxazoline), wherein n is in the range of 20 to 300, wherein m is in the range of 20 to 300, and wherein n and m have the same or approximately the same value. 
     
     
         2 . The block copolymer according to  claim 1  which is prepared by a two-stage co-polymerization of 2-oxazine and 2-oxazoline. 
     
     
         3 . The block copolymer according to  claim 1 , wherein block [A] is chosen from the group consisting of 2-n-propyl-2-oxazine, 2-cyclopropyl-2-oxazine, and 2-butyl-2-oxazine and wherein block [B] is chosen from the group consisting of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline and 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline. 
     
     
         4 . The block copolymer according to  claim 1 , wherein it has a general chemical structure of one of the following formulas: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein n is in the range of 20 to 300, wherein m is in the range of 20 to 300, and wherein n and m have the same or approximately the same value. 
     
     
         5 . The block copolymer according to  claim 1 , wherein it has a general chemical structure of the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein n and m each have a value of 50. 
     
     
         6 . The block copolymer according to  claim 1 , wherein it has a general chemical structure of the following formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein n and m each have a value of 100. 
     
     
         7 . The block copolymer according to  claim 1 , wherein it gels at temperatures above 10° C. 
     
     
         8 . The block copolymer according to  claim 7 , wherein it gels at temperatures above 25° C. 
     
     
         9 . The block copolymer according to  claim 1 , wherein it gels at temperatures above 30° C. 
     
     
         10 . The block copolymer according to  claim 9 , wherein it gels at temperatures above 35° C. 
     
     
         11 . The block copolymer according to  claim 1  which is a thermoresponsive hydrogel. 
     
     
         12 . The block copolymer according to  claim 1 , wherein an aqueous solution of the block copolymer forms a thermoresponsive hydrogel. 
     
     
         13 . A composition which comprises an active ingredient and a block copolymer according to  claim 1  as a carrier material for the active agent. 
     
     
         14 . The composition according to  claim 13 , wherein the active agent is embedded in the carrier material. 
     
     
         15 . The composition according to  claim 14 , wherein the carrier material is characterized by time-delayed disposal of the active ingredient. 
     
     
         16 . A drug delivery system which comprises a block copolymer according to  claim 1  as a carrier material for the drug or drugs to be delivered. 
     
     
         17 . A composition which comprises cells and a block copolymer according to  claim 1  as a carrier material for the cells. 
     
     
         18 . A composition which comprises proteins and a block copolymer according to  claim 1  as a carrier material for the proteins.