Photolithographically patternable modified poly(HEMA) hydrogel membrane

Summary

Polymer with pendant methacryloyl group was synthesized by the substitution reaction of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [poly(HEMA)] with methacryloyl chloride. This photocurable polymer was characterized using ¹H-NMR and bromine titration, and the results were reasonably well consistent. The photocrosslinking of this modified poly(HEMA) was carried out by the addition of a low molecular weight sensitizer without adding functional monomer and crosslinker. These precursors showed a high photosensitivity. Polymers with a degree of substitution as low as 2 mol-% methacryloyl group could be efficiently crosslinked within few seconds of UV exposure to give water insoluble transparent hydrogel membranes. By irradiation of a film of the photocurable polymer precursor containing lacatate oxidase (LOD), a rather unstable enzyme, the enzyme was gently immobilized by physical entrapment.