Supramolecular structured hydrogel preparation based on self-assemblies of photocurable star-shaped macromers with α-cyclodextrins

A new gelation process during self assemblies of methacryol terminated poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA-b-PEG) copolymers containing three or four arms with α-CDs was investigated. Hydroxyl-terminated star-shaped copolymers of PLA-b-PEG were synthesized in toluene by a ring-opening polymerization of LA with 3A-PEG or 4A-PEG as an initiator and Sn(Oct) 2 as a catalyst. Soluble macromers bearing methacryloyl terminals were prepared through the reaction of PLA-b-PEG copolymers with methacrylic anhydride in toluene. The results showed that these gels can be photopolymerized, when exposed to ultraviolet light in the presence of a photoinitiator, to produce biodegradable supramolecular structured hydrogels.