STRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TETRA-PEG GELS

摘要

@@The structure and mechanical properties of a series of model networks consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), Tetra-PEG gels, were investigated by smallangle neutron scattering (SANS) and mechanical measurements. The Tetra-PEG gels were prepared by cross-end coupling of two types of tetra-arm PEG macromers with the molecular weights, M_w, of 5 to 40 × 10~3 g/mol. Tetra-PEG gels have various advantages, namely, high mechanical strength and toughness, easy preparation, and biocompatibility. Tetra-PEG gels are expected to be an "ideal polymer network" with a self-similar structure with respect to M_w without significant entanglements and/or defects. The relationship between the structure and mechanical properties will be discussed.