Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate

Poloxamers are nonionic, triblock copolymers containg a central hydrophobic chain of poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and two terminal hydrophilic chains of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Due to their amphiphilic structure, poloxamer solutions feature temperature dependent self-assembling and thermo-gelling behavior. Concentrated aqueous solutions of poloxamers are liquid at low temperature and form a gel at higher temperature, in a reversible process. This characteristic has allowed for these materials to be used as drug carriers for most routes of administration including oral, topical, intranasal, ocular, and parenteral. Methacrylate-modified derivatives are most commonly used as thermosensitive hydrogels for drug delivery and 3D bioprinting applications. After casting or printing, the material can be crosslinked to preserve the hydrogel structure.