Dynamic Inhomogeneities in Polymer Gels Investigated by Dynamic Light Scattering

Programming viscoelastic properties in a complexation gel composite by utilizing entropy-driven topologically frustrated dynamical state

Hydrogel composites in an aqueous media with viscoelastic properties and elastic modulus that can be precisely tailored are desirable to mimic many biological tissues ranging from mucus, vitreous humor, and nucleus pulposus as well as build up biosensors. Without altering the chemistry, tuning the physical interactions and structures to govern the viscoelastic properties of the hydrogels is indispensable for their applications but quite limited. Here we design a complexation gel composite and utilize the physical principle of topologically frustrated dynamical state to tune the correlated structures between the guest polycation chains and negatively charged host gels. We precisely quantify the mesh size of the host gel and guest chain size. By designing various topologically correlated structures, a viscoelastic moduli map can be built up, ranging from tough to ultrasoft, and from elastic-like with low damping properties to viscous-like with high damping properties. We also tune the swelling ratio by using entropy effect and discover an Entropy-driven Topologically Isovolumetric Point. Our findings provide essential physics to understand the relationship between entropy-driven correlated structures and their viscoelastic properties of the complexation hydrogel composites and will have diverse applications in tissue engineering and soft biomaterials.

Relatively homogeneous network structures of temperature-responsive gels synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization

The network structures of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) gels prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) were compared with those prepared by free radical polymerization (FRP), as a conventional radical polymerization. Temperature-responsive shrinkage was observed in the PNIPAAm gels prepared by ATRP and FRP (ATRP and FRP gels), which depended on the cross-linker content. From the light-scattered intensities, 〈I〉_T, measured at the different sample positions, we used the partial heterodyne method to determine the dynamic fluctuation, 〈I〉_F, spatial component, 〈I〉_C, and correlation length, ξ, of the ATRP and FRP gels, as a function of the cross-linker content and temperature. While there is little difference in 〈I〉_F and ξ between the ATRP and FRP gels, 〈I〉_C of the ATRP gel was smaller than that of the FRP gel. In addition, we calculated the standard deviation of 〈I〉_T for the ATRP and FRP gels, as a function of temperature to quantify the inhomogeneity of the gel networks. The standard deviation revealed that increasing cross-linker content and temperature makes the gel networks more inhomogeneous. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement used to characterize the gel network revealed that ATRP suppresses inhomogeneity more effectively than FRP. The standard deviation of the scattered intensity is used in this study to quantify the inhomogeneity of the network structures. Quantitative evaluations of the inhomogeneity of the network structures by the standard deviation of the scattered intensity are useful in the investigation of the structure-property relationships of gels.

Spatially-Resolved Network Dynamics of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Gels Measured with Dynamic Small Angle Light Scattering

Hydrogels are cross-linked polymer networks swollen in water. The large solvent content enables hydrogels to have unique physical properties and allows them to be used in diverse applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and absorbents. Gel properties are linked to internal dynamics. While bulk gel dynamics have been studied extensively, how gel networks respond locally to deformation has yet to be understood. Here, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) gels have been stretched to study the effects of deformation on gel dynamics parallel and perpendicular to the stretching direction using dynamic small angle light scattering (DSALS). The implementation of DSALS is described and compared to traditional DLS for PVA gels with different crosslink densities, ranging from 0.75–2%. Despite the orders of magnitude difference in the scattering vector, q, range of the techniques, the dynamics match, and the apparent elastic diffusion coefficient, D_A increases linearly with the crosslink density for unstretched gels at a constant 2 wt% concentration. We observe that the elastic motion depends on the direction of stretch, decreasing perpendicular to stretching and increasing at parallel direction. Using DSALS can therefore be an effective tool to evaluate local hydrogel response to deformation.

Hierarchy of relaxation times in supramolecular polymer model networks

Supramolecular polymer gels are an evolving class of soft materials with a vast number of properties that can be tuned to desired applications. Despite continuous advances concerning polymer synthesis, sustainability or adaptability, a consistent understanding of the interplay between structure, dynamics, and diffusion processes within transient networks is lacking. In this study, the hierarchy of several relaxation processes is investigated, starting from a microscopic perspective of a single sticker dissociation event up to the center-of-mass diffusion of a star-shaped polymer building block on different length scales, as well as the resulting macroscopic mechanical response to applied external stress. In addition to that, a second focus is placed on the gel micro-structure that is analyzed by light scattering. Conversion of the dynamic light scattering (DLS) inverse length scale into real space allows for a combination of relaxation times with those obtained by forced Rayleigh scattering (FRS). For these investigations, a model-type metallo-supramolecular network consisting of narrowly dispersed tetra-arm poly(ethylene glycol)-terpyridine macromolecules that are interconnected via complexation with zinc ions is chosen. Assembling the obtained activation energies reveals that all complex dissociation-governed relaxation processes exhibit similar activation energies.

Theory of Charged Gels: Swelling, Elasticity, and Dynamics

The fundamental attributes of charged hydrogels containing predominantly water and controllable amounts of low molar mass electrolytes are of tremendous significance in biological context and applications in healthcare. However, a rigorous theoretical formulation of gel behavior continues to be a challenge due to the presence of multiple length and time scales in the system which operate simultaneously. Furthermore, chain connectivity, the electrostatic interaction, and the hydrodynamic interaction all lead to long-range interactions. In spite of these complications, considerable progress has been achieved over the past several decades in generating theories of variable complexity. The present review presents an analytically tractable theory by accounting for correlations emerging from topological, electrostatic, and hydrodynamic interactions. Closed-form formulas are derived for charged hydrogels to describe their swelling equilibrium, elastic moduli, and the relationship between microscopic properties such as gel diffusion and macroscopic properties such as elasticity. In addition, electrostatic coupling between charged moieties and their ion clouds, which significantly modifies the elastic diffusion coefficient of gels, and various scaling laws are presented. The theoretical formulas summarized here are useful to adequately capture the essentials of the physics of charged gels and to design new hydrogels with specified elastic and dynamical properties.

Concentration dependence of the dynamics of microgel suspensions investigated by dynamic light scattering

The dynamics of colloidal gel particle suspensions, i.e., microgel suspensions, has been investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) over a wide concentration range from the (I) dilute (φ < φcp) to the (II) intermediate (φ ≈ φcp) and (III) high concentration regions (φ ≫ φcp), where φ and φcp are the volume fraction of the gel particles in the suspension and the random close packing fraction, φcp ≈ 0.64, respectively. The time-intensity correlation function exhibited a distinct change with increasing φ, i.e., from ergodic behaviour (region I and II) to nonergodic behaviour (region III). A mode transition from translational (region I) to cooperative diffusion (the so-called gel mode) (region II) was also observed due to the soft and deformable nature of the microgels. Different from the dynamics of hard colloidal glass suspensions, the gel mode remained even at φ ≫ φcp. By using the ensemble-averaged time-correlation function, IE, we quantify the relationship between φ and their dynamics, and show that the soft microgels are deswollen in the densely packed state.

Topologically frustrated dynamics of crowded charged macromolecules in charged hydrogels

Movement of charged macromolecules in crowded aqueous environments is a ubiquitous phenomenon vital to the various living processes and formulations of materials for health care. While study of diffusion of tracer amounts of probe macromolecules trapped inside concentrated solutions, gels, or random media has led to an enhanced understanding of this complex process, the collective dynamics of charged macromolecules embedded inside congested charge-bearing matrices still remains to be fully explored. Here we report a frustrated dynamics of DNA and synthetic polyelectrolytes inside a charged host hydrogel where the guest molecules do not diffuse. Instead, they exhibit a family of relaxation processes arising from a combination of conformational entropy and local chain dynamics, which are frustrated by the confinement from the gel. We also have developed a model explaining this new universality class of non-diffusive topologically frustrated dynamics of charged macromolecules.

Diffusion of molecules in crowded environment is important for various living systems, but the dynamics of charged molecules in charged matrices remains still unexplored. Here the authors report a dynamics of DNA and polyelectrolytes in a charged hydrogel where the guest molecules do not diffuse but experience topologically frustrated dynamics.

Viscoelastic behaviour and relaxation modes of one polyamic acid organogel studied by rheometers and dynamic light scattering

A novel polyamic acid (PAA from BAPMPO-BPDA) organogel was synthesized and characterized via dynamic light scattering (DLS), a classical rheometer, and diffusion wave spectroscopy (DWS). In situ monitoring was performed using a classical rheometer to observe the formation of the PAA organogel. The rheological curves confirm the formation of the PAA gel network and the origin of hydrogen bonding from the -NH- group (donor) and P[double bond, length as m-dash]O group (acceptor). The autocorrelation functions of PAA under different conditions (pure gel, gel with NaNO₃, gel with formamide) are measured via DLS, and different characteristic times are obtained via the CONTIN method. Three different relaxation modes of the PAA gel, i.e., fast, intermediate and slow modes, are observed. The fast and intermediate modes show a diffusive behaviour (τ ∼ q^-2), whereas the slow mode did not. When enough formamide is added into the PAA gel, the fast mode disappears; addition of enough salt (NaNO₃) leads to disappearance of the slow mode. The relationship between characteristic time and diffusion vector demonstrates that the different decorrelation modes consisted of two homodyne and two heterodyne components. Two single-exponential functions and two stretched exponential functions were used, and the different decorrelation modes of the PAA gel are expressed with a non-linear function, which fits the autocorrelation function very well. And the different decorrelation modes are also discussed. DWS results in the high-frequency region not only demonstrate the formation of a PAA gel network but also indicate that the semiflexible chains of PAA are due to electrostatic interaction. The DWS results at different time scales are analyzed by applying the de Gennes' reptation model.

Nanostructural heterogeneity in polymer networks and gels

Many polymer gels display network defects and crosslinking inhomogeneity. This review reflects and interrelates investigations on the characterization of such polymer-network heterogeneity and on its impact on the swelling, elasticity, and permeability of polymer gels.

Thermoresponsive hydrogel scaffolds with tailored hydrophilic pores

Thermoresponsive hydrogels with efficient water-release channels were prepared by incorporating star-shaped macromolecular pore precursors, with degradable disulfide crosslinked cores and hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) arms, into the gel network. The gel framework exhibiting lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior was synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The incorporation of degradable star macromolecules (dSM) was facilitated by growing the gel from ATRP initiator sites contained within their cores. Following the formation of the gel, the dSM cores were degraded, yielding uniform pores lined with hydrophilic PEO chains. The effect of hydrophilic pores on thermoresponsive hydrogel performances was studied by comparing hydrogels containing hydrophilic pores with analogous hydrogels with neutral pores or with pore-free controls. Dye absorption/release experiments pointed to the suitability of newly synthesized hydrogels as controlled-release media, for example, for drug delivery. Cell culture experiments confirmed their nontoxicity and biocompatibility (cell viability >98%).

Temperature-Driven Oxygenation Rate Control by Polymeric Photosensitizer

A polymeric photosensitizer, poly(NIPAM-co-BP), consisting of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and benzophenone (BP) units, demonstrates a temperature-controlled oxygenation activity in water. The system promotes a heat-induced oxygenation enhancement at <17 degrees C and suppression at >22 degrees C. This unprecedented photo-oxygenation activity is triggered by a heat-induced phase transition of the polymer from coil to micelle, and then to globule state, cleverly controlling the stability and diffusion of singlet oxygen and the location of substrate.