There have been reports on PLA-b-PEG diblock or PEG-b-PLA-b-PEG and PLA-b-PEO hydrogels. In these cases the formation of gels is due to the effect of hydrophillic block (PEG/PEO) of the polymer or hydrophobic block of the polymer. If it is due to hydrophillic block, is that possible for all the hydophillic block having polymer chains?
In case of hydrogels, intra-molecular H-bonding interactions within the hydrophilic groups are primarily responsible for the gelation behaviour. In addition, intra-molecular stacking or alignment within the hydrophobic domain acts in stabilizing these gels.
Hydrogel forms at optimized conditions, i.e. at an optimized mix of available hydrophilic groups (for interactions) and length of hydrophobic chains (for alignment/stacking).
so all the hydrophillic blocks having polymer forms hydrogel at optimized conditions?
Well, you cannot treat this as a thumb rule in the first place.. Optimization itself demands a clear understanding of the structure-property relationship of the concerned polymers. You can find a huge number of published papers and reviews in this subject area, which will help you develop the required understanding.. Best of luck..
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