Thermoreversible polymeric systems represent an interesting class of materials that can be tailored for a wide range of application. PEO-PPO-PEO copolymer systems show thermoreversible gelation around body temperature and therefore are of particular interest for biomedical applications such as drug delivery, gene therapy and tissue engineering. PEO-PPO-PEO triblocks copolymers show amphiphilic characteristics and self-assemble in micelles into a variety of close packing structures. Moreover by varying the block composition (PEO/PPO ratio) and the molecular weight it is possible to obtain materials with different final properties that can be tailored for the specific application. In this paper the thermodynamic basis of micellization of PEO-PPO-PEO systems is reviewed. The factors influencing the micelles formation are discussed along with the techniques used to investigate on the micellization process and morphology. The main applications of these systems in biomedical field are finally discussed.
PEO-PPO-PEO triblock copolymers and their biomedical applications
Borzacchiello;
2006
Abstract
Thermoreversible polymeric systems represent an interesting class of materials that can be tailored for a wide range of application. PEO-PPO-PEO copolymer systems show thermoreversible gelation around body temperature and therefore are of particular interest for biomedical applications such as drug delivery, gene therapy and tissue engineering. PEO-PPO-PEO triblocks copolymers show amphiphilic characteristics and self-assemble in micelles into a variety of close packing structures. Moreover by varying the block composition (PEO/PPO ratio) and the molecular weight it is possible to obtain materials with different final properties that can be tailored for the specific application. In this paper the thermodynamic basis of micellization of PEO-PPO-PEO systems is reviewed. The factors influencing the micelles formation are discussed along with the techniques used to investigate on the micellization process and morphology. The main applications of these systems in biomedical field are finally discussed.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
