Light‐induced hydrogels derived from poly(ethylene glycol) and acrylated methyl ricinoleate as biomaterials

Hydrogels are hydrophilic crosslinked polymer networks that can absorb large amounts of water. They are used as biomaterials in numerous tissue engineering applications. Considering environmental awareness, the synthesis of biomaterials from renewable resources through green fabrication methods is essential. This study produces thermoresponsive hydrogels from a castor oil‐based monomer, acrylated methyl ricinoleate, and poly(ethylene glycol) via an environmentally friendly synthesis method. A photopolymerization technique is used with a very short reaction time. Characterization of the hydrogels is performed using thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. Swelling and deswelling profiles are subsequently analyzed. A maximum equilibrium swelling degree of 271% is reached within 30 min. In vitro cytotoxicity assays of the hydrogels and the degradation products are performed to evaluate the biocompatibility. The hydrogels are biocompatible because the cell survival of all hydrogel samples and degradation products is greater than 100% and 85%, respectively. Consequently, the thermoresponsive hydrogels made from renewable raw materials in a green process offer interesting platforms for building biomaterials such as actuators for lab‐on‐a‐chip devices, microfluidics, drug delivery systems, preclinical drug screening models, and regenerative medicine. Biocompatible thermoresponsive hydrogels are fabricated from a plant oil‐based monomer, acrylated methyl ricinoleate, and poly(ethylene glycol). The hydrogels are synthesized using a green process. An environmentally friendly synthesis method is developed by using renewable raw materials and performing the photopolymerization technique via UV irradiation (365 nm) with a very short reaction time while reducing energy consumption.