Application of Thermosensitive Peptide Copolymer Gels to Removal of Endocrine Disruptor

Abstract

Poly(L-leucine)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(L-leucine) triblock copolymers were synthesized by a ring-opening polymerization of 𝛼-amino acid N-carboxyanhydride with amino-terminated PEG as an initiator. The chloroform solution of these peptide copolymers showed a thermo-sensitive sol-gel transition. The transition temperature varied as a function of the length of peptide segments. Additionally, we used these peptide copolymers to remove an endocrine disruptor such as bisphenol A from its aqueous solution. As a result, it became clear that the peptide copolymer gel used in this study could capture bisphenol A efficiently.