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4398602 
Journal Article 
PEG-based hydrogel synthesis via the photodimerization of anthracene groups 
Zheng, YJ; Mieie, M; Mello, SV; Mabrouki, M; Andreopoulos, FM; Konka, V; Pham, SM; Leblanc, RM 
2002 
1 
Macromolecules
ISSN: 0024-9297
EISSN: 1520-5835 
35 
13 
5228-5234 
English 
WOS:000176215500050 
Photo-cross-linking has received a considerable attention for the design of intelligent materials in biochemical and biomedical applications. In this report, we describe the synthesis and properties of a novel photoreversible poly(ethylene glycol)- (PEG-) based hydrogel system. 9-Anthracenecarboxylic acid was used to modify the hydroxyl groups of an eight-armed PEG polymer (molecular weight 20 000) and the degree of substitution was determined to be 87.4%. The PEG-anthracene macromers (PEG-AN) exhibited high photosensitivity at wavelengths close to visible light (absorption maxima at 366 and 380 nm) and underwent rapid and reversible photo-cross-linking upon exposure to alternating wavelengths of irradiation (365/254 nm) in the absence of photoinitiators or catalysts. Changes in light exposure and wavelength of irradiation reversibly altered the physicochemical properties of the PEG-AN hydrogel, including swellability, absorption spectrum, and topography.