Direct Condensation Reaction for Grafting of Polyethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether on Poly(Methacrylic Acid-co-Methyl Methacrylate) for Application in Biomedical Engineering

Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity evaluation of copolymers based on polyethylene glycol monmethyl ether-g-poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) are reported via a polymeric precursor method. Grafting was accomplished based on direct condensation reaction in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide as an esterification-promoting agent catalyzed by dimethylamino pyridine. Polyethylene glycol grafted copolymers were characterized using various spectroscopic techniques; in addition, their biocompatibility was studied. Manifestation of bands assigned to the ester functional groups in Fourier transform infrared spectra and nuclear magnetic resonance was employed for structural characterization of the grafted copolymers. Performance of grafting reaction was guaranteed by determination of grafting efficacy. Cytotoxicity evaluations of the grafted copolymer using L929 fibroblast cell line elucidated acceptable biocompatibility profile; consequently, the applicability of the copolymers is confirmed for biomedical applications.