@misc{xu_synthesis_of_2022, 
author={Xu, J., Abetz, V.},
title={Synthesis of a Degradable Hydrogel Based on a Graft Copolymer with Unexpected Thermoresponsiveness},
year={2022},
howpublished = {journal article},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202200058},
abstract = {Incorporating multiple pyridyl disulfide (PDS) moieties into polymer chains allows the fabrication of a chemically cross-linked hydrogel through the rapid thiol–disulfide exchange reaction. By aminolysis in the presence of 2,2′-dithiodipyridine (DTP), the end groups of polymers synthesized via reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization can readily be converted into PDS-groups. In this contribution, a RAFT-synthesized graft copolymer with thermoresponsive poly[di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] forming the backbone and hydrophilic poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) as the side chains is presented. The copolymer chains exhibit surprisingly a two-step lower critical solution temperature transition in aqueous solutions. After modification of the end groups of the backbone and side chains, the PDS-terminated chains can react with a dithiol cross-linker to form a thermoresponsive hydrogel. In a reducing environment, the cleavable disulfide linkages lead to on-demand dissolution of the hydrogel. The resulting thiol-terminated chains undergo a reversible sol–gel transition in response to redox variations, expanding the potential application areas of such a polymer system.},
note = {Online available at: \url{https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202200058} (DOI). Xu, J.; Abetz, V.: Synthesis of a Degradable Hydrogel Based on a Graft Copolymer with Unexpected Thermoresponsiveness. Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics. 2022. vol. 223, no. 15, 2200058. DOI: 10.1002/macp.202200058}}