Photo-Cross-Linked PDMSstar-PEG Hydrogels: Synthesis, Characterization, and Potential Application for Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Inorganic−organic hydrogels with tunable chemical and physical properties were prepared from methacrylated star polydimethylsiloxane (PDMSstar-MA) and diacrylated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-DA) for use as tissue engineering scaffolds. A total of 18 compositionally unique hydrogels were prepared by photo-cross-linking, varying weight ratios of PEG-DA and PDMSstar-MA of different molecular weights (M n): PEG-DA (M n = 3.4k and 6k g/mol) and PDMSstar-MA (M n = 1.8k, 5k, and 7k g/mol). Introduction of PDMSstar-MA caused formation of discrete PDMS-enriched microparticles dispersed within the PEG matrix. The swelling ratio, mechanical properties in tension and compression, nonspecific protein adhesion, controlled introduction of bioactivity, and cytotoxicity of hydrogels were studied. This library of inorganic−organic hydrogels with tunable properties provides a useful platform to study the effect of scaffold properties on cell behavior.