Amphiphilic networks. XIV - Synthesis and characterization of poly(N,N-dimethylacryl-amide)-l-three-arm star polyisobutylene

The synthesis and characterization of novel amphiphilic networks based on d imethylacrylamide and crosslinked by methacrylate telechelic three-arm star polyisobutylene (phi(PIB-MA)(3)) are reported. The networks are characteri zed by two M-c's and possess "homogeneous" and "heterogeneous" crosslinks. The networks swell both in water and n-heptane which indicates a cocontinuo us hydrophobic-hydrophilic microarchitecture. Water-swollen networks exhibi t higher tensile strengths and elongations, than those made previously with linear MA-PIB-MA's of similar overall compositions (i.e., similar to 1.0 v ersus similar to 0.5 Mpa, and similar to 300% versus similar to 200%, respe ctively). The enhanced mechanical properties of the new networks are being exploited in biomedical applications.