Synthesis and Properties of Amphiphilic Copolymers of N-Isopropylacrylamide with Triethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate Containing Amino and Carboxyl Groups

Nonlinear amphiphilic thermoresponsive copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide with triethylene glycol dimethacrylate containing amino or carboxyl end groups were synthesized by radical copolymerization in ethanol in the presence of cysteamine or 3-mercaptopropionic acid. Their molecular weights, polydispersity, and glass transition temperatures were determined. The behavior study of the copolymers in water showed that the cloud point depends on the concentration of the copolymers in solution, their composition, and nature of functional groups. The copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide demonstrate low cytotoxicity against Vero and HeLa cells, which allows their use in biomedical applications.