Synthesis of polymer network scaffolds and microspheres based on poly(ε-caprolactone-co-glycolic acid-co-l-serine)

Polydepsipeptide networks and cross-linked beads have been prepared by UV photopolymerization of acrylated poly(ε-caprolactone-co-glycolic acid-co-l-serine) [PCL (Glc-Ser)]. The acrylated PCL(Glc-Ser) cross-linked polymer networks obtained were glassy and transparent, and the gel content was approximately 85%. The network showed relatively low swelling in water but is easily swelled in chloroform and in dimethyl sulfoxide. The acrylate polymers on copolymerization with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) resulted in cross-linked networks [PCL(Glc-Ser)/HEMA], which were swelling in water and in DMSO showing the potential of the polymer in hydrogel applications. The modified PCL(Glc-Ser) beads prepared by UV initiated suspension polymerization and were characterized by optical microscopy. These degradable networks and beads may be useful as polymer scaffolds for biomaterial applications.