Phase‐mixed poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(trimethylolpropane triacrylate) semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks obtained by rapid network formation

Semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in poly(trimethylolpropane triacrylate) (TMPTA) were synthesized from PEG melts in neat TMPTA monomer, using PEG of molecular weights from 4000 to 100,000 g/mol. Differential scanning calorimetry and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine phase separation occurring during network formation. The degree of phase separation was observed to depend upon the rate of PEG aggregation relative to the rate of network formation during TMPTA polymerization. Higher molecular weight PEG and acrylate‐functionalized PEG formed more phase‐mixed networks compared to lower molecular weight PEG; acetatefunctionalized PEG showed no difference from unmodified PEG in the extent of phase mixing. For networks that demonstrated phase separation, the PEG was observed to be in two states: some being phase mixed and solvent inextractable, and some being phase separated and solvent extractable. Phase‐mixed networks could be obtained from this thermodynamically incompatible polymer pair utilizing rapid photopolymerization systems to overcome PEG phase aggregation and kinetically entrap the PEG in a nonequilibrium phase‐mixed state. These mixed‐phase semi‐IPNs of PEG and TMPTA may be useful in biological applications where the presence of PEG is desired throughout the bulk matrix rather than as a surface graft to reduce biological interactions. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.