Properties of hydrated poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) observed by C-13-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

It is well-known that poly(2-methoxyethyl acrylate) (PMEA) exhibits excellent blood compatibility and various investigations have examined the underlying mechanism of this compatibility in terms of the water structure in PMEA and/or inherent PMEA properties. However, information regarding the dynamic properties of the PMEA remains limited. This study was performed to clarify the effect of water molecules on the structure and dynamic properties of hydrated PMEA by comparing dry PMEA using temperature-variable C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (C-13-NMR) with a solution probe at 15 -45 degrees C. Hydration changed the chemical shift values of the four carbons in the PMEA side chain (-COOCH2CH2OCH3). Investigations of spin-lattice relaxation times and resonance peak widths showed that hydration increased PMEA mobility and the side chain mobility markedly changed at approximately 30 degrees C, especially in dry PMEA.