Liquid–liquid phase separation in aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate homopolymers
Author(s)
Constantinou, Anna P
Tall, Amy
Li, Qian
Georgiou, Theoni K
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Here, the liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) in aqueous solutions containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) methacrylate homopolymers is reported for the first time. In this study, the thermoresponse of concentrated solutions of DEGMA60 (two ethylene glycol, EG, groups) TEGMA71 (three EG groups), OEGMA300x (4.5 in average EG groups) of varying molar masses (MM), and OEGMA50028 (nine in average EG groups) is discussed. Interestingly, the temperature of LLPS (TLLPS) is controlled by the length of the PEG side chain, the MM of the OEGMA300x and the polymer concentration. More specifically, the transition temperature decreases with: (i) Decrease in the length of the PEG side chain, (ii) increase in MM of the OEGMA300x, and increase in concentration. In addition, LLPS is also observed in mixtures of OEGMA300x with Pluronic® F127. In conclusion, these systems present a thermally induced LLPS, with the transition temperature being finely tuned to room temperature when DEGMA is used. These systems find potential use in numerous applications, varying from purification to “water-in-water” emulsions.
Date Issued
2022-01-15
Date Acceptance
2021-10-19
Citation
Journal of Polymer Science, 2022, 60 (2), pp.188-198
ISSN
2642-4150
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
188
End Page
198
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Polymer Science
Volume
60
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Polymer Science published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Identifier
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pol.20210714
Grant Number
MMRE_P75852
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Polymer Science
aqueous two-phase system
liquid-liquid phase separation
poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate
thermoresponsive
POLYETHYLENE-GLYCOL
MOLECULAR-WEIGHT
WATER
BEHAVIOR
GELATION
F127
EQUILIBRIUM
TEMPERATURE
COPOLYMERS
HYDROGELS
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-11-01