Controlling mechanical properties of bio-inspired hydrogels by modulating nano-scale, inter-polymeric junctions.

Seonki Hong,Hyukjin Lee,Haeshin Lee

doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.101

Seonki Hong, Hyukjin Lee + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.5.101

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Abstract

Quinone tanning is a well-characterized biochemical process found in invertebrates, which produce diverse materials from extremely hard tissues to soft water-resistant adhesives. Herein, we report new types of catecholamine PEG derivatives, PEG-NH-catechols that can utilize an expanded spectrum of catecholamine chemistry. The PEGs enable simultaneous participation of amine and catechol in quinone tanning crosslinking. The intermolecular reaction between PEG-NH-catechols forms a dramatic nano-scale junction resulting in enhancement of gelation kinetics and mechanical properties of PEG hydrogels compared to results obtained by using PEGs in the absence of amine groups. Therefore, the study provides new insight into designing new crosslinking chemistry for controlling nano-scale chemical reactions that can broaden unique properties of bulk hydrogels.

Highlights

Water-resistant adhesives secreted by marine mussels, stiff cuticles synthesized by insects, and sharp beaks found in squids appear to be drastically different biomaterials (Figure 1a–c) [1,2,3,4,5,6]
This study demonstrates that the chemical configuration by inserting both secondary amine and catechol expands the properties of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels, which can provide new insight into designing hydrogels prepared by other polymers using quinone tanning chemistry
An absolute negative result from the ninhydrin test indicated that all amine groups of linear and 6Arm-PEGs had reacted with the catechol derivatives

Summary

Introduction

Water-resistant adhesives secreted by marine mussels, stiff cuticles synthesized by insects, and sharp beaks found in squids appear to be drastically different biomaterials (Figure 1a–c) [1,2,3,4,5,6]. This study demonstrates that the chemical configuration by inserting both secondary amine and catechol expands the properties of PEG hydrogels, which can provide new insight into designing hydrogels prepared by other polymers using quinone tanning chemistry.

Results

Conclusion