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Xia T, Li X, Wu Y, Lu X. Synthesis and thermally-induced gelation of interpenetrating nanogels. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 669:754-765. [PMID: 38739967 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Thermally-induced in-situ gelation of polymers and nanogels is of significant importance for injectable non-invasive tissue engineering and delivery systems of drug delivery system. In this study, we for the first time demonstrated that the interpenetrating (IPN) nanogel with two networks of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly (N-Acryloyl-l-phenylalanine) (PAphe) underwent a reversible temperature-triggered sol-gel transition and formed a structural color gel above the phase transition temperature (Tp). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies confirmed that the Tp of IPN nanogels are the same as that of PNIPAM, independent of Aphe content of the IPN nanogels at pH of 6.5 ∼ 7.4. The rheological and optical properties of IPN nanogels during sol-gel transition were studied by rheometer and optical fiber spectroscopy. The results showed that the gelation time of the hydrogel photonic crystals assembled by IPN nanogel was affected by temperature, PAphe composition, concentration, and sequence of interpenetration. As the temperature rose above the Tp, the Bragg reflection peak of IPN nanogels exhibited blue shift due to the shrinkage of IPN nanogels. In addition, these colored IPN nanogels demonstrated good injectability and had no obvious cytotoxicity. These IPN nanogels will open an avenue to the preparation and thermally-induced in-situ gelation of novel NIPAM-based nanogel system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Xia
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 North Renmin Road, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xueting Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 North Renmin Road, Shanghai 201620, China; Fujian Nano-Micro Advanced Materials Sci. & Tech. Co. Ltd., Jinjiang Innovation Entrepreneurship and Creativity Park, Jinjiang, Fujian 362200, China; Shanghai Evanston Advanced Materials Sci. & Tech. Co. Ltd., Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Youtong Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 North Renmin Road, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xihua Lu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, 2999 North Renmin Road, Shanghai 201620, China; Fujian Nano-Micro Advanced Materials Sci. & Tech. Co. Ltd., Jinjiang Innovation Entrepreneurship and Creativity Park, Jinjiang, Fujian 362200, China; Shanghai Evanston Advanced Materials Sci. & Tech. Co. Ltd., Shanghai 200082, China.
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Pardy JD, Tavsanli B, Sirianni QEA, Gillies ER. Self-immolative Polymer Hydrogels via In Situ Gelation. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202401324. [PMID: 39031736 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202401324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Hydrogels are of interest for a wide range of applications. The ability to control when the hydrogel degrades can provide beneficial properties such as controlled degradation in the environment or the stimulated release of drugs or cells. Self-immolative polymers are a class of degradable polymers that undergo complete end-to-end depolymerization upon the application of a stimulus. They have been explored for hydrogel development, but the ability to prepare and selectively degrade self-immolative hydrogels under neutral aqueous conditions has so far been limited. We describe here the preparation of water-soluble polyglyoxylamides with cross-linkable pendent azides and their cross-linking to form hydrogels with 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol)s having unstrained and strained alkynes using copper-assisted and strain-promoted azide-alkyne click chemistry respectively. The influence of pendent azide density and solution polymer content on the resulting hydrogels was evaluated. A polyglyoxylamide with a 70 : 30 ratio of pendent hydroxyl:azide successfully provided hydrogels with compressive moduli ranging from 1.3-6.3 kPa under copper-free conditions at 10-20 % (w/w) of polymer in phosphate-buffered saline. Selective depolymerization and degradation of the hydrogels upon irradiation with light was demonstrated, resulting in reductions in the compressive moduli and the release of depolymerization products that were detected by NMR spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared D Pardy
- School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, N6A 5B9, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Burak Tavsanli
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St., N6A 5B7, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Quinton E A Sirianni
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St., N6A 5B7, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth R Gillies
- School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, N6A 5B9, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St., N6A 5B7, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St., N6A 5B9, London, Ontario, Canada
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Xu Z, Zhu Y, Ai Y, Zhou D, Wu F, Li C, Chen L. Programmable, Self-Healable, and Photochromic Liquid Crystal Elastomers Based on Dynamic Hindered Urea Bonds for Biomimetic Flowers. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2400520. [PMID: 38733234 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Recently, researchers have been exploring the use of dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs) in the construction of exchangeable liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) for biomimetic actuators and devices. However, a significant challenge remains in achieving LCEs with both excellent dynamic properties and superior mechanical strength and stability. In this study, a diacrylate-functionalized monomer containing dynamic hindered urea bonds (DA-HUB) is employed to prepare exchangeable LCEs through a self-catalytic Michael addition reaction. By incorporating DA-HUB, the LCE system benefits from DCBs and hydrogen bonding, leading to materials with high mechanical strength and a range of dynamic properties such as programmability, self-healing, and recyclability. Leveraging these characteristics, bilayer LCE actuators with controlled reversible thermal deformation and outstanding dimensional stability are successfully fabricated using a simple welding method. Moreover, a biomimetic triangular plum, inspired by the blooming of flowers, is created to showcase reversible color and shape changes triggered by light and heat. This innovative approach opens new possibilities for the development of biomimetic and smart actuators and devices with multiple functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhentian Xu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry (IPEC)/ the School of Information Engineering, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yangyang Zhu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry (IPEC)/ the School of Information Engineering, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Yun Ai
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry (IPEC)/ the School of Information Engineering, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Dan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants, Control and Resources Recycle, Nanchang Hangkong University, 696 Fenghe South Avenue, Nanchang, 330063, China
| | - Feiyan Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry (IPEC)/ the School of Information Engineering, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Chunquan Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry (IPEC)/ the School of Information Engineering, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Lie Chen
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/ Institute of Polymers and Energy Chemistry (IPEC)/ the School of Information Engineering, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang, 330031, China
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Singh AN, Meena A, Nam KW. Gels in Motion: Recent Advancements in Energy Applications. Gels 2024; 10:122. [PMID: 38391452 PMCID: PMC10888500 DOI: 10.3390/gels10020122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Gels are attracting materials for energy storage technologies. The strategic development of hydrogels with enhanced physicochemical properties, such as superior mechanical strength, flexibility, and charge transport capabilities, introduces novel prospects for advancing next-generation batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors. Through a refined comprehension of gelation chemistry, researchers have achieved notable progress in fabricating hydrogels endowed with stimuli-responsive, self-healing, and highly stretchable characteristics. This mini-review delineates the integration of hydrogels into batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors, showcasing compelling instances that underscore the versatility of hydrogels, including tailorable architectures, conductive nanostructures, 3D frameworks, and multifunctionalities. The ongoing application of creative and combinatorial approaches in functional hydrogel design is poised to yield materials with immense potential within the domain of energy storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Narayan Singh
- Department of Energy and Materials Engineering, Dongguk University-Seoul, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea
| | - Abhishek Meena
- Division of Physics and Semiconductor Science, Dongguk University-Seoul, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Wan Nam
- Department of Energy and Materials Engineering, Dongguk University-Seoul, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea
- Center for Next Generation Energy and Electronic Materials, Dongguk University-Seoul, Seoul 04620, Republic of Korea
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Hidalgo-Alvarez V, Madl CM. Leveraging Biomaterial Platforms to Study Aging-Related Neural and Muscular Degeneration. Biomolecules 2024; 14:69. [PMID: 38254669 PMCID: PMC10813704 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is a complex multifactorial process that results in tissue function impairment across the whole organism. One of the common consequences of this process is the loss of muscle mass and the associated decline in muscle function, known as sarcopenia. Aging also presents with an increased risk of developing other pathological conditions such as neurodegeneration. Muscular and neuronal degeneration cause mobility issues and cognitive impairment, hence having a major impact on the quality of life of the older population. The development of novel therapies that can ameliorate the effects of aging is currently hindered by our limited knowledge of the underlying mechanisms and the use of models that fail to recapitulate the structure and composition of the cell microenvironment. The emergence of bioengineering techniques based on the use of biomimetic materials and biofabrication methods has opened the possibility of generating 3D models of muscular and nervous tissues that better mimic the native extracellular matrix. These platforms are particularly advantageous for drug testing and mechanistic studies. In this review, we discuss the developments made in the creation of 3D models of aging-related neuronal and muscular degeneration and we provide a perspective on the future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher M. Madl
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
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