Self-assembled thermoresponsive hydrogels from tetrablock terpolymers

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Christine M. Papadakis, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Experimental and Theoretical Physics of Polymers
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 564236659

The project focuses on the structural characterization of self-assembled, thermoresponsive hydrogels from tetrablock terpolymers based on methacrylates. Such hydrogels are, among others, of interest for 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering. In particular, tetrablock terpolymers from hydrophilic, hydrophobic and thermoresponsive blocks shall be investigated, addressing various block sequences and compositions. It is expected that the micelles formed by the tetrablock terpolymers feature complex structures that are closely related to the block sequence and the conformation of the thermoresponsive blocks. The inner structure and the shape of the micelles, the gel formation and the packing of the micelles in the gel shall be characterized in large concentration and temperature ranges. At this, scattering methods, namely dynamic light scattering, also with a rotating sample, and small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering shall be employed. Small-angle scattering on the hydrogels in an orienting shear field will elucidate the structures in more detail. The detailed structural investigations will yield a broad understanding of the micellar solutions and hydrogels from thermoresponsive tetrablock terpolymers and their temperature-dependent structures.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: United Kingdom
• Cooperation Partner: Professorin Dr. Theoni K. Georgiou, Ph.D.