Hydrogels from dynamic covalent networks
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsDylan J. BODAY, Mareva B. FEVRE, Jeannette M. GARCIA, James L. HEDRICK, Rudy J. WOJTECKI
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Abstract
A polymer is described herein that includes a plurality of N-J-N or N—C—S repeating units, wherein each J is independently a carbon atom, an alkyl group, or an aryl group; a plurality of hydrophilic groups bonded with the repeating units; and a plurality of hydrophobic groups bonded with the hydrophilic groups and the repeating units. Such polymers may be made into hydrogels by exposure to water, and the hydrogels may be used as delivery vehicles for various payloads.
Claims12
A method of forming a polymer, comprising:
- reacting a hydrophobic component with a hydrophilic component to form a polymer having hydrophobic sections and hydrophilic sections, wherein the polymer has a general structure selected from the group consisting of
- wherein each instance of R1 is independently aryl, polyester, or polyamide, each instance of R6 is independently a group having hydrophilic components, each instance of R2 and R5 is independently an organic or hetero-organic group, each instance of R3 is independently an electron-deficient organic or hetero-organic group, each instance of R7 is a trivalent organic or hetero-organic group, each instance of X is independently a hydrophobic group, and each instance of n is a positive integer, and wavy bonds in a structure signify covalent bonds to other atoms.
A hydrogel comprising:
- water;
- and
- a polymer, comprising:
- a plurality of N-J-N or N—C—S repeating units, wherein each J is independently a carbon atom, an alkyl group, or an aryl group;
- a plurality of hydrophilic groups bonded with the repeating units;
- and
- a plurality of hydrophobic groups bonded with the hydrophilic groups and the repeating units.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.