| Abstract: | The reaction of copolymer of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) and bromoethyl methacrylate with potassium cinnamate produced water-soluble photosensitive polymers. Photosensitive polyDMAA films were irradiated with a 400 W high-pressure mercury lamp (λ > 280 nm) to produce crosslinked polymers, which were swollen in water. The degree of swelling was controlled by the irradiation time and content of cinnamate moieties in copolymers. Higher cinnamoylation and longer irradiation time resulted in higher yield of crosslinked polymers and less swellability. Partial degelation upon irradiation at λ ～ 254 nm was observed. The advantage of gelation via photodimerization over conventional chemical crosslinking methods is discussed in conjunction with biomedical applications. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
