Poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline) as basis for responsive polymers and tough hydrogels

Abstract: Responsive polymers and hydrogels find widespread applications as smart materials, amongst others for biomedical applications. In this lecture, poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline) (PiPOx) will be presented as broadly applicable building block for making such materials. PiPOx is hydrophilic and biocompatible while modification is straightforward through coupling of carboxylic acids to the side-chain 2-oxazoline units. This allows modification of the hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance to make thermoresponsive polymers, but also can be used to introduce side-chain functionalities, such as azobenzenes for sensing or photoresponsive behavior. In addition, the use of difunctional carboxylic acids leads to straightforward preparation of crosslinked hydrogels. Recent progress from our group on responsive PiPOx and PiPOx hydrogels will be discussed.