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Wang Z, Yang F, Liu X, Han X, Li X, Huyan C, Liu D, Chen F. Hydrogen Bonds-Pinned Entanglement Blunting the Interfacial Crack of Hydrogel-Elastomer Hybrids. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2313177. [PMID: 38272488 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202313177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Anchoring a layer of amorphous hydrogel on an antagonistic elastomer holds potential applications in surface aqueous lubrication. However, the interfacial crack propagation usually occurs under continuous loads for amorphous hydrogel, leading to the failure of hydrogel interface. This work presents a universal strategy to passivate the interfacial cracks by designing a hydrogen bonds-pinned entanglement (Hb-En) structure of amorphous hydrogel on engineering elastomers. The unique Hb-En structure is created by pinning well-tailored entanglements via covalent-like hydrogen bonds, which can amplify the delocalization of interfacial stress concentration and elevate the necessary fracture energy barrier within hydrogel interface. Therefore, the interfacial crack propagation can be suppressed under single and cyclic loads, resulting in a high interfacial toughness over 1650 J m-2 and an excellent interfacial fatigue threshold of 423 J m-2. Such a strategy universally works on blunting the interfacial crack between hydrogel coating and various elastomer materials with arbitrary shapes. The superb fatigue-crack insensitivity at the interface allows for durable aqueous lubrication of hydrogel coating with low friction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zibi Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 28, Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Fahu Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 28, Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Xiaoxu Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 28, Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Xiang Han
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 28, Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Xinxin Li
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 28, Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Chenxi Huyan
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 28, Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Dong Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 28, Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
| | - Fei Chen
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, No. 28, Xianning West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710049, China
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2
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Koo MB, Lee JH, Kim GW, Jang H, Kim SY, Kim KT. Structural Homogeneity of Macromolecular Networks by End-to-End Click Chemistry between Discrete Tetrahedral Star Macromolecules. ACS Macro Lett 2024; 13:75-81. [PMID: 38170942 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Cross-linking via the end-to-end click chemistry of multiarm star polymers creates polymer networks with minimal inhomogeneities. Although it has been suggested that the mechanical and swelling properties of such networks depend on the absence of defects, the structural details of homogeneous networks created by this method have not yet been studied at the molecular level. Here, we report the synthesis of discrete tetrahedral star macromolecules (dTSMs) composed of polylactide (PLA) arms with discrete molecular weight and sequence. Polymer networks prepared by 4 × 4 cross-linking by Cu-free strain-promoted cyclooctyne-azide click chemistry (SPAAC) reaction exhibited a high degree of swelling (>40 fold by weight) in solvents without sacrificing mechanical robustness (elastic modulus >4 kPa). The structural details of the networks were investigated by network disassembly spectrometry (NDS) using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. By implementing a cleavable repeating unit in the discrete PLA arms of dTSM in a sequence-specific manner, the networks could be disassembled into fragments having discrete molecular weights precisely representing their connectivity in the network. This NDS analysis confirmed that end-to-end click reactions of dTSM networks resulted in the formation of a homogeneous network above the critical concentration (∼10 w/v%) of building blocks in the solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo Beom Koo
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Jae Hak Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Geon Woong Kim
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Heejeong Jang
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - So Youn Kim
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Institute of Chemical Processes, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Kyoung Taek Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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3
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Ishikawa S, Iwanaga Y, Uneyama T, Li X, Hojo H, Fujinaga I, Katashima T, Saito T, Okada Y, Chung UI, Sakumichi N, Sakai T. Percolation-induced gel-gel phase separation in a dilute polymer network. NATURE MATERIALS 2023; 22:1564-1570. [PMID: 37903925 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-023-01712-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Cosmic large-scale structures, animal flocks and living tissues can be considered non-equilibrium organized systems created by dissipative processes. Replicating such properties in artificial systems is still difficult. Herein we report a dissipative network formation process in a dilute polymer-water mixture that leads to percolation-induced gel-gel phase separation. The dilute system, which forms a monophase structure at the percolation threshold, spontaneously separates into two co-continuous gel phases with a submillimetre scale (a dilute-percolated gel) during the deswelling process after the completion of the gelation reaction. The dilute-percolated gel, which contains 99% water, exhibits unexpected hydrophobicity and induces the development of adipose-like tissues in subcutaneous tissues. These findings support the development of dissipative structures with advanced functionalities for distinct applications, ranging from physical chemistry to tissue engineering.
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Grants
- JPMJCR1992 MEXT | JST | Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST)
- JPMJCR1852 MEXT | JST | Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST)
- JPMJCR20E2 MEXT | JST | Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST)
- Moon-shot R&D 1125941 MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
- JPMJMS2025-14 MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
- JPMXP1122714694 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 21H04688 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 20H05733 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 19H05794 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 19H05795 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 19K14672 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 22H01187 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- 20J01344 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JPMJPR1992 MEXT | JST | Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO)
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohei Ishikawa
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuhide Iwanaga
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Uneyama
- Department of Materials Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Xiang Li
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hironori Hojo
- Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ikuo Fujinaga
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Katashima
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taku Saito
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Okada
- Laboratory for Cell Polarity Regulation, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), Suita, Japan
- Department of Cell Biology, Department of Physics, Universal Biology Institute (UBI) and International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ung-Il Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Sakumichi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Takamasa Sakai
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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4
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Ahmadi M, Yazdanimoghaddam R, Sharif F. The network structure in transient telechelic polymer networks: extension of the Miller-Macosko model. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023. [PMID: 38019135 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp04700h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The combination of supramolecular chemistry and polymer science has resulted in the development of transient polymer networks with diverse properties and applications. Specifically, polymer networks based on transient linking of telechelic polymer precursors offer a high degree of control over the network structure, which can reform in response to external stimuli that change the connectivity of transient bonds. Therefore, the combination of the versatile polymer functionality and the adjustable connectivity of transient bonds may result in complex network structures that are not easy to predict or characterize. To address this gap, herein we extend the Miller-Macosko model to forecast the network connectivity of transient telechelic polymer networks made with various polymer functionalities and transient connectivities represented by metal-ligand complexes. This model predicts a universal dependence of the network structure and modulus on preparative parameters including the metal ion identity, characterized by the complexation thermodynamics, and concentration. Moreover, we demonstrate that given the thermodynamic tendency of forming network defects like loops, the model can include such imperfections, enabling rheological properties to be used indirectly for the characterization of defect content. We outline general guidelines to extend the model to more intricate structures, enhancing our understanding of the structure-property relationship in complex transient polymer networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Ahmadi
- Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Rosha Yazdanimoghaddam
- Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Farhad Sharif
- Department of Polymer Engineering and Color Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
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5
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Hashimoto K, Shiwaku T, Aoki H, Yokoyama H, Mayumi K, Ito K. Strain-induced crystallization and phase separation used for fabricating a tough and stiff slide-ring solid polymer electrolyte. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi8505. [PMID: 38000032 PMCID: PMC10672157 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi8505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
The demand for mechanically robust polymer-based electrolytes is increasing for applications to wearable devices. Young's modulus and breaking energy are essential parameters for describing the mechanical reliability of electrolytes. The former plays a vital role in suppressing the short circuit during charge-discharge, while the latter indicates crack propagation resistance. However, polymer electrolytes with high Young's moduli are generally brittle. In this study, a tough slide-ring solid polymer electrolyte (SR-SPE) breaking through this trade-off between stiffness and toughness is designed on the basis of strain-induced crystallization (SIC) and phase separation. SIC makes the material highly tough (breaking energy, 80 to 100 megajoules per cubic meter). Phase separation in the polymer enhanced stiffness (Young's modulus, 10 to 70 megapascals). The combined effect of phase separation and SIC made SR-SPE tough and stiff, while these mechanisms do not impair ionic conductivity. This SIC strategy could be combined with other toughening mechanisms to design tough polymer gel materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kei Hashimoto
- Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
- The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Toru Shiwaku
- Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Aoki
- Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, 203-1 Shirakata, Tokai, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan
- Materials and Life Science Division, J-PARC Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan
| | - Hideaki Yokoyama
- Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
| | - Koichi Mayumi
- Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
- The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Kohzo Ito
- Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
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6
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Lu S, Ma Z, Qin L, Ding M, Wang Z, Liu J, Zhang R, Zhang Y, Dong G. Effect of molecular helical structure on self-growing and damping of single network κ-carrageenan hydrogel. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 249:126082. [PMID: 37536410 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Molecular helical is ubiquitous in molecular structures, however, the impact of the structure on mechanical properties has yet to be extensively studied. In this study, we synthesized a single network κ-carrageenan (KC) hydrogel with the molecular double helix structure, and elucidated its unique self-enhancing and damping properties from a molecular structural perspective. During cycle tensile tests, the helical structure was stretched and entangled to form a directional arrangement, increasing the elastic modulus and achieving 'self-reinforcement'. Meanwhile, the molecular helices have a spring-like damping effect, allowing the hydrogel to dampen low-frequency noise while transmitting high-frequency signals. By utilizing the hydrogel to create electrodes for electrocardiogram (ECG) detection, we were able to effectively filter out noise generated by movements while retaining necessary signals. Our work thus presents a potential pathway bridging from microscopic molecular structure to macroscopic mechanical properties of materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design and Rotor-Bearing System, Institute of Design Science and Basic Components, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Zeyu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design and Rotor-Bearing System, Institute of Design Science and Basic Components, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Liguo Qin
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design and Rotor-Bearing System, Institute of Design Science and Basic Components, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Mingwei Ding
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design and Rotor-Bearing System, Institute of Design Science and Basic Components, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design and Rotor-Bearing System, Institute of Design Science and Basic Components, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Jianbo Liu
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design and Rotor-Bearing System, Institute of Design Science and Basic Components, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Rui Zhang
- Xi'an Microelectronics Technology Institute, Xi'an 710054, China
| | - Yali Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Information of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Guangneng Dong
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design and Rotor-Bearing System, Institute of Design Science and Basic Components, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
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7
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Ohira M, Nakagawa S, Sampei R, Noritomi T, Sakai T, Shibayama M, Li X. Effects of network junctions and defects on the crystallization of model poly(ethylene glycol) networks. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:1653-1663. [PMID: 36756772 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01036d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Polymer crystallization drastically changes the physical properties of polymeric materials. However, the crystallization in polymer networks has been little explored. This study investigated the crystallization behavior of a series of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) networks consisting of well-defined branched precursors. The PEG networks were prepared by drying gels synthesized at various conditions. The PEG networks showed slower crystallization with lower final crystallinity than uncrosslinked PEGs with amine end groups. Surprisingly, the effect of network formation was not as significant as that of the relatively bulky end-groups introduced in the uncrosslinked polymer. The molecular weight of the precursor PEG, or equivalently the chain length between neighboring junctions, was the primary parameter that affected the crystallization of the PEG networks. Shorter network chains led to lower crystallization rates and final crystallinity. This effect became less significant as the network chain length increased. On the other hand, the spatial and topological defects formed in the gel synthesis process did not affect the crystallization in the polymer networks at all. The crystallization in the polymer networks seems insensitive to these mesoscopic defects and can be solely controlled by the chain length between junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Ohira
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8685, Japan
| | - Shintaro Nakagawa
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Sampei
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Takako Noritomi
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Takamasa Sakai
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8685, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Shibayama
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
- Neutron Science and Technology Center, Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society (CROSS), 162-1 Shirakata, Tokai, Naka, Ibaraki, 319-1106, Japan
| | - Xiang Li
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan.
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8
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Tran TM, de Alaniz JR. Controlled Synthesis of a Homopolymer Network Using a Well-Defined Single-Component Diels-Alder Cyclopentadiene Monomer. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:3462-3469. [PMID: 36722948 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c11416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Cyclopentadiene is known for its high reactivity and propensity to dimerize, making monomer synthesis and polymerization notoriously challenging. In fact, despite its long history and compelling chemistry, only two reports have appeared in the literature since the first attempt to homopolymerize cyclopentadiene by Staudinger in 1926. Herein, we present a strategy not only to synthesize, isolate, and homopolymerize a well-defined tetracyclopentadiene monomer but also to de-cross-link the network homopolymer. Mechanical properties are also investigated, including creep-recovery, shape memory, and tensile behaviors. Interestingly, the tensile test reflects a tough and elastic material, in contrast to prior Cp-based homopolymer networks. This work provides a versatile platform to access and study new cyclopentadiene-based and better-defined homopolymer networks with potential applications ranging from shape memory polymers to degradable thermosets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi M Tran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Javier Read de Alaniz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
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9
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Morton LD, Castilla-Casadiego DA, Palmer AC, Rosales AM. Crosslinker structure modulates bulk mechanical properties and dictates hMSC behavior on hyaluronic acid hydrogels. Acta Biomater 2023; 155:258-270. [PMID: 36423819 PMCID: PMC9805514 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic hydrogels are attractive platforms due in part to their highly tunable mechanics, which impact cell behavior and secretory profile. These mechanics are often controlled by altering the number of crosslinks or the total polymer concentration in the gel, leading to structure-property relationships that inherently couple network connectivity to the overall modulus. In contrast, the native extracellular matrix (ECM) contains structured biopolymers that enable stiff gels even at low polymer content, facilitating 3D cell culture and permeability of soluble factors. To mimic the hierarchical order of natural ECM, this work describes a synthetic hydrogel system in which mechanics are tuned using the structure of sequence-defined peptoid crosslinkers, while fixing network connectivity. Peptoid crosslinkers with different secondary structures are investigated: 1) a helical, molecularly stiff peptoid, 2) a non-helical, less stiff peptoid, and 3) an unstructured, relatively flexible peptoid. Bulk hydrogel storage modulus increases when crosslinkers of higher chain stiffness are used. In-vitro studies assess the viability, proliferation, cell morphology, and immunomodulatory activity of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on each hydrogel substrate. Matrix mechanics regulate the morphology of hMSCs on the developed substrates, and all of the hydrogels studied upregulate IDO production over culture on TCP. Softer substrates further this upregulation to a plateau. Overall, this system offers a biomimetic strategy for decoupling hydrogel storage modulus from network connectivity, enabling systematic study of biomaterial properties on hMSC behavior and enhancement of cellular functionality for therapeutic applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Various strategies to tune hydrogel mechanics have been developed to control human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) behavior and regulate their immunomodulatory potential. However, these strategies typically couple mechanics to network connectivity, which in turn changes other hydrogel properties such as permeability that may have unintended effects on hMSC behavior. This work presents a strategy to tune hydrogel mechanics using crosslinkers with different secondary structure and molecular rigidity. This strategy successfully decouples hydrogel moduli from crosslinker stoichiometry and mimics the hierarchical nature of the native extracellular matrix. The moduli of the developed hydrogels led to significant impacts on hMSC morphology and proliferation, and increased immunomodulatory potential, indicating that molecular rigidity is a promising avenue to control engineered ECM mechanics for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan D Morton
- Mcketta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
| | - David A Castilla-Casadiego
- Mcketta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
| | - Ajay C Palmer
- Mcketta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States
| | - Adrianne M Rosales
- Mcketta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, United States.
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10
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Rose KA, Marino E, O'Bryan CS, Murray CB, Lee D, Composto RJ. Nanoparticle dynamics in hydrogel networks with controlled defects. SOFT MATTER 2022; 18:9045-9056. [PMID: 36416054 DOI: 10.1039/d2sm01224c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The effect of nanoscale defects on nanoparticle dynamics in defective tetra-poly(ethylene glycol) (tetra-PEG) hydrogels is investigated using single particle tracking. In a swollen nearly homogeneous hydrogel, PEG-functionalized quantum dot (QD) probes with a similar hydrodynamic diameter (dh = 15.1 nm) to the mesh size (〈ξs〉 = 16.3 nm), are primarily immobile. As defects are introduced to the network by reaction-tuning, both the percentage of mobile QDs and the size of displacements increase as the number and size of the defects increase with hydrolysis time, although a large portion of the QDs remain immobile. To probe the effect of nanoparticle size on dynamics in defective networks, the transport of dh = 47.1 nm fluorescent polystyrene (PS) and dh = 9.6 nm PEG-functionalized QDs is investigated. The PS nanoparticles are immobile in all hydrogels, even in highly defective networks with an open structure. Conversely, the smaller QDs are more sensitive to perturbations in the network structure with an increased percentage of mobile particles and larger diffusion coefficients compared to the larger QDs and PS nanoparticles. The differences in nanoparticle mobility as a function of size suggests that particles of different sizes probe different length scales of the defects, indicating that metrics such as the confinement ratio alone cannot predict bulk dynamics in these systems. This study provides insight into designing hydrogels with controlled transport properties, with particular importance for degradable hydrogels for drug delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie A Rose
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Emanuele Marino
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Chimica, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, 90123, Italy
| | - Christopher S O'Bryan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Christopher B Murray
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
| | - Russell J Composto
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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11
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Cheng L, Zhao X, Zhao J, Liu S, Yu W. Structure and Dynamics of Associative Exchange Dynamic Polymer Networks. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lin Cheng
- Advanced Rheology Institute, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix Composite Materials, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyang Zhao
- Advanced Rheology Institute, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix Composite Materials, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Advanced Rheology Institute, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix Composite Materials, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sijun Liu
- Advanced Rheology Institute, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix Composite Materials, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Yu
- Advanced Rheology Institute, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, State Key Laboratory for Metal Matrix Composite Materials, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
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12
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Hagita K, Murashima T, Ohkuma T, Jinnai H. Ring-Filling Effect on Stress–Strain Curves of Randomly End-Linked Tetra-Arm Prepolymers. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katsumi Hagita
- Department of Applied Physics, National Defense Academy, 1-10-20, Hashirimizu, Yokosuka 239-8686, Japan
| | - Takahiro Murashima
- Department of Physics, Tohoku University, 6-3, Aramaki-aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ohkuma
- Digital Engineering Division, Bridgestone Corporation, 3-1-1, Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8531, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Jinnai
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1, Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
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13
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Bailey SJ, Barney CW, Sinha NJ, Pangali SV, Hawker CJ, Helgeson ME, Valentine MT, Read de Alaniz J. Rational mechanochemical design of Diels-Alder crosslinked biocompatible hydrogels with enhanced properties. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2022; 9:1947-1953. [PMID: 35575385 DOI: 10.1039/d2mh00338d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
An important but often overlooked feature of Diels-Alder (DA) cycloadditions is the ability for DA adducts to undergo mechanically induced cycloreversion when placed under force. Herein, we demonstrate that the commonly employed DA cycloaddition between furan and maleimide to crosslink hydrogels results in slow gelation kinetics and "mechanolabile" crosslinks that relate to reduced material strength. Through rational computational design, "mechanoresistant" DA adducts were identified by constrained geometries simulate external force models and employed to enhance failure strength of crosslinked hydrogels. Additionally, utilization of a cyclopentadiene derivative, spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-diene, provided mechanoresistant DA adducts and rapid gelation in minutes at room temperature. This study illustrates that strategic molecular-level design of DA crosslinks can provide biocompatible materials with improved processing, mechanical durability, lifetime, and utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia J Bailey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
| | - Christopher W Barney
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Nairiti J Sinha
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Sai Venkatesh Pangali
- Center for Structural Molecular Biology, Neutron Scattering Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Craig J Hawker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Materials Department, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Matthew E Helgeson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Megan T Valentine
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Javier Read de Alaniz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
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14
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Tauber J, van der Gucht J, Dussi S. Stretchy and disordered: Toward understanding fracture in soft network materials via mesoscopic computer simulations. J Chem Phys 2022; 156:160901. [PMID: 35490006 DOI: 10.1063/5.0081316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft network materials exist in numerous forms ranging from polymer networks, such as elastomers, to fiber networks, such as collagen. In addition, in colloidal gels, an underlying network structure can be identified, and several metamaterials and textiles can be considered network materials as well. Many of these materials share a highly disordered microstructure and can undergo large deformations before damage becomes visible at the macroscopic level. Despite their widespread presence, we still lack a clear picture of how the network structure controls the fracture processes of these soft materials. In this Perspective, we will focus on progress and open questions concerning fracture at the mesoscopic scale, in which the network architecture is clearly resolved, but neither the material-specific atomistic features nor the macroscopic sample geometries are considered. We will describe concepts regarding the network elastic response that have been established in recent years and turn out to be pre-requisites to understand the fracture response. We will mostly consider simulation studies, where the influence of specific network features on the material mechanics can be cleanly assessed. Rather than focusing on specific systems, we will discuss future challenges that should be addressed to gain new fundamental insights that would be relevant across several examples of soft network materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Tauber
- Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jasper van der Gucht
- Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Simone Dussi
- Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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15
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Ikeda N, Ishikawa A, Fujii K. Polyether-based solid electrolytes with a homogeneous polymer network: effect of the salt concentration on the Li-ion coordination structure. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:9626-9633. [PMID: 35403631 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp05351e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
We report a solid polymer electrolyte with an ideal polyether network that was synthesized by using tetra-functional poly(ethylene glycol) (TetraPEG) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (LiTFSA) salt. The solid TetraPEG electrolyte had few network defects (<5%) and exhibited high mechanical toughness by enduring approximately 11-fold elongation at a 1 : 10 ratio of Li salt to O atoms of PEG (Li/OPEG). We found that the mechanical properties strongly depend on the Li/OPEG ratio, which mainly contributes to the density of crosslinking points in the electrolyte. Raman spectroscopy and high-energy X-ray total scattering were used with all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to visualize the structural effects of Li-ion coordination in the TetraPEG network. At lower salt contents (Li/OPEG = 1 : 10), Li ions were found to preferentially coordinate with OPEG atoms rather than the TFSA anions to form crown ether-like Li+-PEG complexes as ion pair-free species. With increasing salt content, the TFSA anions partially coordinated with Li ions through O atoms of TFSA (OTFSA) to afford contact ion pairs surrounded by both OPEG and OTFSA atoms. Finally, the ion pairing enhanced mononuclear ion pairs as well as multinuclear ionic aggregates when more Li salt was added. This structural change in the Li-ion complexes was directly reflected by the ion-conducting properties of the electrolyte. The TetraPEG electrolyte composed of the ion pair-free Li+ species (Li/OPEG = 1 : 10) exhibited higher ionic conductivity, and the conductivity gradually decreased with increasing salt content because of extensive ion pairing for both mononuclear contact ion pairs and multinuclear aggregates. Regarding the electrochemical properties, the optimum electrolyte composition to realize a reversible Li deposition/dissolution reaction for a negative electrode was found to be Li/OPEG = 1 : 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namie Ikeda
- Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, 2-16-1 Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan.
| | - Asumi Ishikawa
- Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, 2-16-1 Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan.
| | - Kenta Fujii
- Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, 2-16-1 Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan.
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16
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Nakagawa S, Yoshie N. Star polymer networks: a toolbox for cross-linked polymers with controlled structure. Polym Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d1py01547h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis of precisely controlled polymer networks has been a long-cherished dream of polymer scientists. Traditional random cross-linking strategies often lead to uncontrolled networks with various kinds of defects. Recent...
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17
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Zhang C, Liu C, Wang L, Zhao Y, Liu G, Wang D. Verification of thermodynamic theories of strain-induced polymer crystallization. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 58:286-289. [PMID: 34881388 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc04134g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We studied the crystallization of nearly "homogeneous" polyethylene glycol (PEG) networks prepared by end-crosslinking of tetra-armed PEG. The influence of stretching ratio and strand length on the melting and crystallization temperature was investigated. The relation of melting temperature and elongation ratio verifies the thermodynamic theories of strain-induced polymer crystallization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunbo Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Engineering Plastics, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Chang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Engineering Plastics, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Polymer Science and Technology, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Engineering Plastics, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Guoming Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Engineering Plastics, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dujin Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Engineering Plastics, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. .,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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18
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Raffaelli C, Ellenbroek WG. Stress relaxation in tunable gels. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:10254-10262. [PMID: 34821243 PMCID: PMC8612457 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00091h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels are a staple of biomaterials development. Optimizing their use in e.g. drug delivery or tissue engineering requires a solid understanding of how to adjust their mechanical properties. Here, we present a numerical study of a class of hydrogels made of 4-arm star polymers with a combination of covalent and reversible crosslinks. This design principle combines the flexibility and responsivity associated with reversible linkers with stability provided by chemical crosslinks. In molecular dynamics simulations of such hybrid gel networks, we observe that the strength of the reversible bonds can tune the material from solid to fluid. We identify at what fraction of reversible bonds this tunability is most pronounced, and find that the stress relaxation time of the gels in this tunable regime is set directly by the average lifetime of the reversible bonds. As our design is easy to realize in the already widely-used tetraPEG gel setting, our work will provide guidelines to improve the mechanical performance of biomedical gels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Raffaelli
- Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, P. O. Box 513, NL-5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Wouter G Ellenbroek
- Department of Applied Physics, Eindhoven University of Technology, P. O. Box 513, NL-5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, P. O. Box 513, NL-5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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19
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Ishikawa A, Ikeda N, Maeda S, Fujii K. Polymer network formation mechanism of multifunctional poly(ethylene glycol)s in ionic liquid electrolyte with a lithium salt. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:16966-16972. [PMID: 34338253 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp02710g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
We report a controlled polymer network gel electrolyte based on a multifunctional poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) prepolymer (herein, tetrafunctional PEGs (tetra-PEGs) and bisfunctional linear PEGs (linear-PEGs)) and an ionic liquid (IL)-based electrolyte solution containing lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSA) salt. The gel electrolyte was obtained via a gelation reaction, i.e., the Michael addition reaction between maleimide (MA)-terminated tetra-PEGs and thiol (SH)-terminated tetra- or linear-PEGs (termed tetra/tetra-PEG gel or tetra/linear-PEG gel systems), in a LiTFSA/IL solution under noncatalytic conditions at room temperature. For the tetra/linear-PEG system, the gelation reaction depended on the ratio of tetra-PEG-MA and linear-PEG-SH; an optimum terminal MA/SH ratio of 1 : 1 yielded a reaction efficiency (p) of ∼98% (an ideal polymer network structure). The tetra/tetra-PEG system with an MA/SH ratio of 1 : 1 also achieved a reaction efficiency of ∼98%. Time-resolved rheological measurements revealed that the network formation process can be categorized into three steps: (I) oligomer formation at an early stage of the reaction, (II) formation of a roughly linked polymer network with a large mesh size as the reaction proceeded, and (III) full network formation also at the local scale near the gelation completion time. The resulting tetra/linear-PEG ion gel with an optimum MA/SH ratio of 1 : 1 exhibited high stretchability, enduring approximately 10-fold elongation, and superior ion-conducting properties compared with the corresponding IL-based electrolyte solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asumi Ishikawa
- Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, 2-16-1 Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan.
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20
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Liu C, Morimoto N, Jiang L, Kawahara S, Noritomi T, Yokoyama H, Mayumi K, Ito K. Tough hydrogels with rapid self-reinforcement. Science 2021; 372:1078-1081. [PMID: 34083486 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaz6694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Most tough hydrogels are reinforced by introducing sacrificial structures that can dissipate input energy. However, because the sacrificial damage cannot rapidly recover, the toughness of these gels drops substantially during consecutive cyclic loadings. We propose a damageless reinforcement strategy for hydrogels using strain-induced crystallization. For slide-ring gels in which polyethylene glycol chains are highly oriented and mutually exposed under large deformation, crystallinity forms and melts with elongation and retraction, resulting both in almost 100% rapid recovery of extension energy and excellent toughness of 6.6 to 22 megajoules per cubic meter, which is one order of magnitude larger than the toughness of covalently cross-linked homogeneous gels of polyethylene glycol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
| | - Naoya Morimoto
- Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
| | - Lan Jiang
- Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
| | - Sohei Kawahara
- Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
| | - Takako Noritomi
- Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
| | - Hideaki Yokoyama
- Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
| | - Koichi Mayumi
- Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan.
- AIST-UTokyo Advanced Operando-Measurement Technology Open Innovation Laboratory (OPERANDO-OIL), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
- The Institute for Solid State Physics (ISSP), The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581 Japan
| | - Kohzo Ito
- Material Innovation Research Center (MIRC) and Department of Advanced Materials Science, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8561, Japan.
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21
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Gao Y, Peng K, Mitragotri S. Covalently Crosslinked Hydrogels via Step-Growth Reactions: Crosslinking Chemistries, Polymers, and Clinical Impact. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2006362. [PMID: 33988273 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202006362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogels are an important class of biomaterials with the unique property of high-water content in a crosslinked polymer network. In particular, chemically crosslinked hydrogels have made a great clinical impact in past years because of their desirable mechanical properties and tunability of structural and chemical properties. Various polymers and step-growth crosslinking chemistries are harnessed for fabricating such covalently crosslinked hydrogels for translational research. However, selecting appropriate crosslinking chemistries and polymers for the intended clinical application is time-consuming and challenging. It requires the integration of polymer chemistry knowledge with thoughtful crosslinking reaction design. This task becomes even more challenging when other factors such as the biological mechanisms of the pathology, practical administration routes, and regulatory requirements add additional constraints. In this review, key features of crosslinking chemistries and polymers commonly used for preparing translatable hydrogels are outlined and their performance in biological systems is summarized. The examples of effective polymer/crosslinking chemistry combinations that have yielded clinically approved hydrogel products are specifically highlighted. These hydrogel design parameters in the context of the regulatory process and clinical translation barriers, providing a guideline for the rational selection of polymer/crosslinking chemistry combinations to construct hydrogels with high translational potential are further considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Gao
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kevin Peng
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Samir Mitragotri
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
- Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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22
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Xiang N, Zhang X, Zheng M, Xu R, Yan Y. Investigation of tensile behavior and molecular structure of the thermoplastic polyurethane sheets injection molded at different mold temperatures. J Appl Polym Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/app.50959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Xiang
- Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials AECC, Beijing Engineering Research Centre of Advanced Structural Transparencies for the Modern Traffic System Beijing China
| | - Xiaowen Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials AECC, Beijing Engineering Research Centre of Advanced Structural Transparencies for the Modern Traffic System Beijing China
| | - Mengyao Zheng
- Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials AECC, Beijing Engineering Research Centre of Advanced Structural Transparencies for the Modern Traffic System Beijing China
| | - Ruijie Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Soft Condensed Matter, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Laboratory of Energy Storage Materials and Devices, School of Materials and Energy Guangdong University of Technology Guangzhou China
| | - Yue Yan
- Beijing Institute of Aeronautical Materials AECC, Beijing Engineering Research Centre of Advanced Structural Transparencies for the Modern Traffic System Beijing China
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23
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Rahman MM, Abetz V. Tailoring Crosslinked Polyether Networks for Separation of CO 2 from Light Gases. Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 42:e2100160. [PMID: 33987890 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100160] [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: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide) or poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is an ideal membrane material for separation of CO2 from light gases (e.g., H2 , N2 , O2 , CH4 etc). In these membranes, crosslinking is used as a tool to suppress crystallinity of the PEG segments. In spite of the extensive effort to develop crosslinked PEG membranes in the last two decades, it remains a challenge to establish the structure-property relationships. This paper points out the fundamental limitations to correlate the chain topology of a network with the gas permeation mechanism. While a quantitative comparison of the molecular weight between crosslinks of networks and gas permeation mechanism reported by different research groups is challenging, effort is made to draw a qualitative picture. In this review, a focus is also put on the progress of utilization of dangling chain fractions to tailor the gas permeation behavior of PEG networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mushfequr Rahman
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Membrane Research, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Geesthacht, 21502, Germany
| | - Volker Abetz
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Membrane Research, Max-Planck-Straße 1, Geesthacht, 21502, Germany.,Institute of Physical Chemistry, Universität Hamburg, Grindelallee 117, Hamburg, 20146, Germany
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24
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Nakajima T, Hoshino KI, Guo H, Kurokawa T, Gong JP. Experimental Verification of the Balance between Elastic Pressure and Ionic Osmotic Pressure of Highly Swollen Charged Gels. Gels 2021; 7:39. [PMID: 33915908 PMCID: PMC8167773 DOI: 10.3390/gels7020039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The equilibrium swelling degree of a highly swollen charged gel has been thought to be determined by the balance between its elastic pressure and ionic osmotic pressure. However, the full experimental verification of this balance has not previously been conducted. In this study, we verified the balance between the elastic pressure and ionic osmotic pressure of charged gels using purely experimental methods. We used tetra-PEG gels created using the molecular stent method (St-tetra-PEG gels) as the highly swollen charged gels to precisely and separately control their network structure and charge density. The elastic pressure of the gels was measured through the indentation test, whereas the ionic osmotic pressure was determined by electric potential measurement without any strong assumptions or fittings. We confirmed that the two experimentally determined pressures of the St-tetra-PEG gels were well balanced at their swelling equilibrium, suggesting the validity of the aforementioned relationship. Furthermore, from single-strand level analysis, we investigated the structural requirements of the highly swollen charged gels in which the elasticity and ionic osmosis are balanced at their swelling equilibrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasuku Nakajima
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan; (K.-i.H.); (H.G.); (T.K.); (J.P.G.)
- Global Station for Soft Matter, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0808, Japan
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Hoshino
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan; (K.-i.H.); (H.G.); (T.K.); (J.P.G.)
| | - Honglei Guo
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan; (K.-i.H.); (H.G.); (T.K.); (J.P.G.)
| | - Takayuki Kurokawa
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan; (K.-i.H.); (H.G.); (T.K.); (J.P.G.)
- Global Station for Soft Matter, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0808, Japan
| | - Jian Ping Gong
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan; (K.-i.H.); (H.G.); (T.K.); (J.P.G.)
- Global Station for Soft Matter, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0808, Japan
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
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25
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Takashima R, Ohira M, Yokochi H, Aoki D, Li X, Otsuka H. Characterization of N-phenylmaleimide-terminated poly(ethylene glycol)s and their application to a tetra-arm poly(ethylene glycol) gel. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:10869-10875. [PMID: 33210675 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm01658f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Tetra-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (TetraPEG) gels are tough materials whose toughness originates from their uniform network structure. They can be formed by combining the termini of tetra-arm polymers via chemical reactions with high conversion efficiency, such as the Michael addition, condensations using an active ester group, and alkyne-azide cycloadditions. Herein, we report the synthesis of a tetra-PEG gel using a tetra-arm polymer with N-phenylmaleimide moieties at the polymer ends (tetra-N-aryl MA PEG) as a scaffold. Tetra-N-aryl MA PEG can be obtained via a simple maleimidation using the modification agent p-maleimidophenyl isocyanate (PMPI), which directly transforms the hydroxy groups at the polymer ends into reactive N-aryl maleimide groups in a one-pot reaction. The thus-obtained tetra-N-aryl MA PEG was fully characterized using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. HPLC analysis not only demonstrated the high purity of tetra-N-aryl MA PEG and the full conversion of the hydroxy groups, but also provided an effective characterization method for N-aryl maleimide-based PEG using a simple protocol, which enables us quantitative analysis of functionalized polymers with different N-aryl maleimide numbers. Furthermore, we fabricated a TetraPEG gel via Michael addition of the obtained tetra-N-aryl MA and thiol-terminated TetraPEGs. Thus, this report presents the application of tetra-N-aryl MA PEG as an effective precursor to obtain a uniform network structure and a method for its characterization; these results should provide support for the development of functional molecules, soft materials, and further functional materials based on the uniform-network-structure concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikito Takashima
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
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Amamoto Y, Kojio K, Takahara A, Masubuchi Y, Ohnishi T. Complex Network Representation of the Structure-Mechanical Property Relationships in Elastomers with Heterogeneous Connectivity. PATTERNS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 1:100135. [PMID: 33294872 PMCID: PMC7691396 DOI: 10.1016/j.patter.2020.100135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The complicated structure-property relationships of materials have recently been described using a methodology of data science that is recognized as the fourth paradigm in materials science. In network polymers or elastomers, the manner of connection of the polymer chains among the crosslinking points has a significant effect on the material properties. In this study, we quantitatively evaluate the structural heterogeneity of elastomers at the mesoscopic scale based on complex network, one of the methods used in data science, to describe the elastic properties. It was determined that a unified parameter with topological and spatial information universally describes some parameters related to the stresses. This approach enables us to uncover the role of individual crosslinking points for the stresses, even in complicated structures. Based on the data science, we anticipate that the structure-property relationships of heterogeneous materials can be interpretatively represented using this type of "white box" approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshifumi Amamoto
- Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
- Department of Materials Physics, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
- Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Ken Kojio
- Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Atsushi Takahara
- Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Yuichi Masubuchi
- Department of Materials Physics, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan
| | - Takaaki Ohnishi
- Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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Ikeda T. Preparation of (2 × 4)-type tetra-PEG ion gels through Cu-free azide–alkyne cycloaddition. Polym J 2020. [DOI: 10.1038/s41428-020-0363-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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28
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Ohira M, Tsuji Y, Watanabe N, Morishima K, Gilbert EP, Li X, Shibayama M. Quantitative Structure Analysis of a Near-Ideal Polymer Network with Deuterium Label by Small-Angle Neutron Scattering. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b02695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Ohira
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Yui Tsuji
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Watanabe
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Ken Morishima
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, 2, Asashiro-Nishi, Kumatori-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka 590-0494, Japan
| | - Elliot P. Gilbert
- Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW 2232, Australia
| | - Xiang Li
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Shibayama
- Neutron Science Laboratory, Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Fan
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University,
N21W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
| | - Jian Ping Gong
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery (WPI-ICReDD), Hokkaido University,
N21W10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
- Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University, N21W11, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
- Global Station for Soft Matter GI-CoRE, Hokkaido University, N21W11, Kita-ku, Sapporo 001-0021, Japan
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Parrish E, Rose KA, Cargnello M, Murray CB, Lee D, Composto RJ. Nanoparticle diffusion during gelation of tetra poly(ethylene glycol) provides insight into nanoscale structural evolution. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:2256-2265. [PMID: 32031561 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm02192b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Single particle tracking (SPT) of PEG grafted nanoparticles (NPs) was used to examine the gelation of tetra poly(ethylene glycol) (TPEG) succinimidyl glutarate (TPEG-SG) and amine (TPEG-A) terminated 4-armed stars. As concentration was decreased from 40 to 20 mg mL-1, the onset of network formation, tgel, determined from rheometry increased from less than 2 to 44 minutes. NP mobility increased as polymer concentration decreased in the sol state, but remained diffusive at times past the tgel determined from rheometry. Once in the gel state, NP mobility decreased, became sub-diffusive, and eventually localized in all concentrations. The NP displacement distributions were investigated to gain insight into the nanoscale environment. In these relatively homogeneous gels, the onset of sub-diffusivity was marked by a rapid increase in dynamic heterogeneity followed by a decrease consistent with a homogeneous network. We propose a gelation mechanism in which clusters initially form a heterogeneous structure which fills in to form a fully gelled relatively homogenous network. This work aims to examine the kinetics of TPEG gelation and the homogeneity of these novel gels on the nanometer scale, which will aid in the implementation of these gels in biomedical or filtration applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmabeth Parrish
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Katie A Rose
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Matteo Cargnello
- Department of Chemical Engineering and SUNCAT Center for Interface Science and Catalysis, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Christopher B Murray
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. and Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Daeyeon Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Russell J Composto
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. and Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA and Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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31
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Furuya T, Koga T. Molecular simulation of networks formed by end-linking of tetra-arm star polymers: Effects of network structures on mechanical properties. POLYMER 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.122195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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32
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Ahmadi M, Seiffert S. Dynamic Model Metallo‐Supramolecular Dual‐Network Hydrogels with Independently Tunable Network Crosslinks. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20190076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Ahmadi
- Department of Polymer Engineering and Color TechnologyAmirkabir University of Technology Tehran Iran
- Institute of Physical ChemistryJohannes Gutenberg‐Universität Mainz D‐55128 Duesbergweg 10‐14 Mainz Germany
| | - Sebastian Seiffert
- Institute of Physical ChemistryJohannes Gutenberg‐Universität Mainz D‐55128 Duesbergweg 10‐14 Mainz Germany
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Zhang R, Ruan H, Zhou T, Fu Q, Peng H, Zhu X, Yao Y. High-performance poly(acrylic acid) hydrogels formed with a block copolymer crosslinker containing amino-acid derivatives. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:7381-7389. [PMID: 31513229 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm01512d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Two block copolymers containing two amino-acid derivatives, PEO-b-PLAA and PEO-b-PAAC, were fabricated through atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) or reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT). Then, they were employed as a macro-crosslinker to prepare high-performance poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) hydrogels named "PxAy" or "TyAz". There were numerous synergistic noncovalent interactions with hydrogen bonds between the macro-crosslinker and PAA chains, as well as entanglement of polymer chains. Hence, the hydrogels exhibited desirable mechanical properties and self-healing abilities. For PxAy hydrogels, the maximum fracture elongation and fracture strength were 9800% and 120.01 kPa, respectively. Moreover, the enhanced physical interaction enabled the hydrogels to have rapid self-healing abilities without stimulation. The hydrogels showed >80% self-healing efficiency and exhibited ∼10-3 S cm-1 electrical conductivity upon the introduction of KCl. Meanwhile, benefitting from doubling the number of carboxyl groups in the macro-crosslinker of the TyAz hydrogels compared with the PxAy hydrogels, the mechanical properties of TyAz hydrogels could be promoted further and notch-insensitivity could be observed. Tough, adhesive, self-healable, and conductive PAA hydrogels with different structures of amino-acid derivatives could aid the development of macro-crosslinkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Engineering Research Center of Large Scale Reactor Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China.
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Endo F, Kurokawa N, Tanimoto K, Iwase H, Maeda T, Hotta A. SANS study on the nano-crystalline network structure of elastic physical gels made of syndiotactic polypropylene. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:5521-5528. [PMID: 31241635 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm00582j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The structure-property relationship of an elastic physical gel, obtained by simply quenching syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP)/decahydronaphthalene solution with liquid nitrogen, was investigated based on small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) analysis. The SANS analysis revealed that sPP nanocrystals with a constant radius of 4-5 nm existed in the sPP gels regardless of the sPP concentration, whereas the correlation length of the nanocrystals drastically decreased from ∼130 to ∼20 nm upon increasing the sPP concentration from 2 to 12 wt%. The volume fraction and the number density of the sPP nanocrystals increased monotonously with the increase in the sPP concentration. The rheological properties and the melting behavior of the quenched sPP gels were highly consistent with the number density of the nanocrystals calculated from the SANS analysis, strongly suggesting that the sPP nanocrystals actually worked as crosslinking points by inducing elasticity in the quenched sPP gels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuyuaki Endo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan.
| | - Naruki Kurokawa
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan.
| | - Keishi Tanimoto
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan.
| | - Hiroki Iwase
- Research Center for Neutron Science and Technology, Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society (CROSS), 162-1 Shirakata, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan
| | - Tomoki Maeda
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan.
| | - Atsushi Hotta
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan.
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36
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Naumova A, Agudelo DC, Villar MA, Vega DA, Valentin JL, Saalwächter K. Microscopic State of Polymer Network Chains upon Swelling and Deformation. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b00971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Naumova
- Institut für Physik—NMR, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Betty-Heimann-Straße 7, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Diana Carolina Agudelo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, CONICET, B8002 Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Marcelo A. Villar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, CONICET, B8002 Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Daniel A. Vega
- Department of Physics, Instituto de Física del Sur (IFISUR), Universidad Nacional del Sur, CONICET, B8002 Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | | | - Kay Saalwächter
- Institut für Physik—NMR, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Betty-Heimann-Straße 7, 06120 Halle, Germany
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37
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Yoshikawa Y, Sakumichi N, Chung UI, Sakai T. Connectivity dependence of gelation and elasticity in AB-type polymerization: an experimental comparison of the dynamic process and stoichiometrically imbalanced mixing. SOFT MATTER 2019; 15:5017-5025. [PMID: 31120084 DOI: 10.1039/c9sm00696f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To control various physical properties of polymer gels, it is important to control the connection probability between functional groups of network structures (connectivity). In this study, we compare two methodologies tuning the connectivity in AB-type polymerization: one is stopping the reaction intentionally at a certain conversion, and the other is mixing two prepolymers in a stoichiometrically imbalanced ratio. By experimentally examining the relationships between elastic modulus and connectivity, we find that the relationships are almost the same for these two methodologies. However, the critical connectivity for gelation is different. These results are well reproduced by a kind of phantom network model whose structural parameters are estimated by using a mean-field approximation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Yoshikawa
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
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38
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Fujiyabu T, Yoshikawa Y, Chung UI, Sakai T. Structure-property relationship of a model network containing solvent. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF ADVANCED MATERIALS 2019; 20:608-621. [PMID: 31231450 PMCID: PMC6567130 DOI: 10.1080/14686996.2019.1618685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
For the application of polymer gels, it is necessary to control independently and precisely their various physical properties. However, the heterogeneity of polymer gels hinders the precise control over the structure, as well as the verification of theories. To understand the structure-property relationship of polymer gels, many researchers have tried to develop a homogeneous model network. Most of the model networks were made from polymer melts that did not have a solvent and had many entanglements in the structure. Because the contribution of entanglements is much larger than that of chemical crosslinking, it was difficult to focus on the crosslinking structure, which is the structure considered in conventional theories. To overcome such a situation, we have developed a new model network system that contains much solvent. Specifically, we fabricated the polymer gel (Tetra-PEG gel) by mixing two types of solutions of tetra-armed poly(ethylene glycol) (Tetra-PEG) with mutually reactive end groups (amine (-PA) and activated ester (-HS)). Because the existence of a solvent strongly reduces the effect of entanglements, the effect of the crosslinking structure on the physical properties can be extracted. In this review, we present the structure-property relationship of Tetra-PEG gel. First, we show the structural homogeneity of Tetra-PEG gels. Then, we explain gelation reaction, elastic modulus, fracture energy and kinetics of swelling and shrinking of Tetra-PEG gels by comparing the theories and experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Fujiyabu
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Yoshikawa
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ung-il Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takamasa Sakai
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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39
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40
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Ishikawa A, Sakai T, Fujii K. An ionic liquid gel with ultralow concentrations of tetra-arm polymers: Gelation kinetics and mechanical and ion-conducting properties. POLYMER 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2019.01.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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41
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Driest PJ, Dijkstra DJ, Stamatialis D, Grijpma DW. The Trimerization of Isocyanate-Functionalized Prepolymers: An Effective Method for Synthesizing Well-Defined Polymer Networks. Macromol Rapid Commun 2019; 40:e1800867. [PMID: 30817042 DOI: 10.1002/marc.201800867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
For the study of polymer networks, having access to polymer networks with a controlled and well-defined microscopic network structure is of great importance. However, typically, such networks are difficult to synthesize. In this work, a simple, effective, and widely applicable method is presented for synthesizing polymer networks with a well-defined network structure. This is done by the functionalization of polymeric diols using a diisocyanate, and their subsequent trimerization. Using hexamethylene diisocyanate and hydroxyl-group-terminated poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(ethylene glycol), it is shown that both hydrophobic and hydrophilic poly(urethane-isocyanurate) networks with a well-defined network structure can readily be synthesized. By using in situ infrared spectroscopy, it is shown that the trimerization of isocyanate endgroups is clearly the predominant reaction pathway of network formation, supporting the proposed mechanism and network structure. The resulting networks possess excellent mechanical properties in both the dry and in the wet state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piet J Driest
- Covestro Deutschland AG, CAS Global R&D, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Allee 60, 51373, Leverkusen, Germany.,Technical Medical Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500, AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk J Dijkstra
- Covestro Deutschland AG, CAS Global R&D, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Allee 60, 51373, Leverkusen, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Stamatialis
- Technical Medical Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500, AE Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk W Grijpma
- Technical Medical Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Biomaterials Science and Technology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500, AE Enschede, The Netherlands
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42
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Hoshino KI, Nakajima T, Matsuda T, Sakai T, Gong JP. Network elasticity of a model hydrogel as a function of swelling ratio: from shrinking to extreme swelling states. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:9693-9701. [PMID: 30460959 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm01854e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we intended to investigate the relationship between the swelling ratio Q and Young's modulus E of hydrogels from their contracted state to extreme swelling state and elucidate the underlining molecular mechanism. For this purpose, we used tetra-poly(ethylene glycol) (tetra-PEG) gel, whose network parameters are well known, as the polymer backbone, and we succeeded in tuning the swelling of the gel by a factor of 1500 times while maintaining the topological structure of the network unchanged, using an approach combining a molecular stent method and a PEG dehydration method. A master curve of Q-E, independent of the method of obtaining Q, was obtained. Using the worm-like chain model, the experimentally determined master curve can be well reproduced. We also observed that the uniaxial stress-strain curve of the hydrogel can be well predicted by the worm-like chain model using the structure parameters determined from the fitting of the Q-E experimental curve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken-Ichi Hoshino
- Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, N21W11, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 001-0021, Japan
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Onyianta AJ, Castellano M, Dorris M, Williams RL, Vicini S. The effects of morpholine pre-treated and carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibrils on the properties of alginate-based hydrogels. Carbohydr Polym 2018; 198:320-327. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.06.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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45
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Han J, Yoshitake M, Sakai T, Yoshimoto N, Morita M, Fujii K. Electrochemical Properties of a TetraPEG-based Gel Electrolyte Containing a Nonflammable Fluorinated Alkyl Phosphate for Safer Lithium-ion Batteries. CHEM LETT 2018. [DOI: 10.1246/cl.180283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jihae Han
- Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, 2-16-1 Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan
| | - Mari Yoshitake
- Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, 2-16-1 Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan
| | - Takamasa Sakai
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Nobuko Yoshimoto
- Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, 2-16-1 Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan
| | - Masayuki Morita
- Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, 2-16-1 Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan
| | - Kenta Fujii
- Graduate School of Sciences and Technology for Innovation, Yamaguchi University, 2-16-1 Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8611, Japan
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Abstract
In this article we introduce the concept of ideal reversible polymer networks, which have well-controlled polymer network structures similar to ideal covalent polymer networks but exhibit viscoelastic behaviors due to the presence of reversible crosslinks. We first present a theory to describe the mechanical properties of ideal reversible polymer networks. Because short polymer chains of equal length are used to construct the network, there are no chain entanglements and the chains' Rouse relaxation time is much shorter than the reversible crosslinks' characteristic time. Therefore, the ideal reversible polymer network behaves as a single Maxwell element of a spring and a dashpot in series, with the instantaneous shear modulus and relaxation time determined by the concentration of elastically-active chains and the dynamics of reversible crosslinks, respectively. The theory provides general methods to (i) independently control the instantaneous shear modulus and relaxation time of the networks, and to (ii) quantitatively measure kinetic parameters of the reversible crosslinks, including reaction rates and activation energies, from macroscopic viscoelastic measurements. To validate the proposed theory and methods, we synthesized and characterized the mechanical properties of a hydrogel composed of 4-arm polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers end-functionalized with reversible crosslinks. All the experiments conducted by varying pH, temperature and polymer concentration were consistent with the predictions of our proposed theory and methods for ideal reversible polymer networks.
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Horkay F, Nishi K, Shibayama M. Decisive test of the ideal behavior of tetra-PEG gels. J Chem Phys 2018; 146:164905. [PMID: 28456212 DOI: 10.1063/1.4982253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this work is to investigate the thermodynamic and scattering behavior of tetra-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) gels. Complementary measurements, including osmotic swelling pressure, elastic modulus, and small angle neutron scattering (SANS), are reported for a series of tetra-PEG gels made from different molecular weight precursor chains at different concentrations. Analysis of the osmotic swelling pressure vs polymer volume fraction curves makes it possible to separate the elastic and mixing contributions of the network free energy. It is shown that in tetra-PEG gels these free energy components are additive. The elastic term varies with the one-third power of the polymer volume fraction and its numerical value is equal to the shear modulus obtained from independent mechanical measurements. The mixing pressure of the cross-linked polymer is slightly smaller than that of the corresponding solution of the uncross-linked polymer of infinite molecular weight but it exhibits similar dependence on the polymer concentration. The observed deviation between the osmotic mixing pressures of the gel and the solution can be attributed to the presence of small amount of structural inhomogeneities frozen-in by the cross-links. SANS reveals that the scattering response of tetra-PEG gel is mainly governed by the thermodynamic concentration fluctuations of the network, i.e., the contribution from static inhomogeneities to the SANS signal is small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Horkay
- Section on Quantitative Imaging and Tissue Sciences, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Kengo Nishi
- The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Shibayama
- The Institute for Solid State Physics, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8581, Japan
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48
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Rattan S, Li L, Lau HK, Crosby AJ, Kiick KL. Micromechanical characterization of soft, biopolymeric hydrogels: stiffness, resilience, and failure. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:3478-3489. [PMID: 29700541 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm00501j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Detailed understanding of the local structure-property relationships in soft biopolymeric hydrogels can be instrumental for applications in regenerative tissue engineering. Resilin-like polypeptide (RLP) hydrogels have been previously demonstrated as useful biomaterials with a unique combination of low elastic moduli, excellent resilience, and cell-adhesive properties. However, comprehensive mechanical characterization of RLP hydrogels under both low-strain and high-strain conditions has not yet been conducted, despite the unique information such measurements can provide about the local structure and macromolecular behavior underpinning mechanical properties. In this study, mechanical properties (elastic modulus, resilience, and fracture initiation toughness) of equilibrium swollen resilin-based hydrogels were characterized via oscillatory shear rheology, small-strain microindentation, and large-strain puncture tests as a function of polypeptide concentration. These methods allowed characterization, for the first time, of the resilience and failure in hydrogels with low polypeptide concentrations (<20 wt%), as the employed methods obviate the handling difficulties inherent in the characterization of such soft materials via standard mechanical techniques, allowing characterization without any special sample preparation and requiring minimal volumes (as low as 50 μL). Elastic moduli measured from small-strain microindentation showed good correlation with elastic storage moduli obtained from oscillatory shear rheology at a comparable applied strain rate, and evaluation of multiple loading-unloading cycles revealed decreased resilience values at lower hydrogel concentrations. In addition, large-strain indentation-to-failure (or puncture) tests were performed to measure large-strain mechanical response and fracture toughness on length scales similar to biological cells (∼10-50 μm) at various polypeptide concentrations, indicating very high fracture initiation toughness for high-concentration hydrogels. Our results establish the utility of employing microscale mechanical methods for the characterization of the local mechanical properties of biopolymeric hydrogels of low concentrations (<20 wt%), and show how the combination of small and large-strain measurements can provide unique insight into structure-property relationships for biopolymeric elastomers. Overall, this study provides new insight into the effects on local mechanical properties of polypeptide concentration near the overlap polymer concentration c* for resilin-based hydrogels, confirming their unique elastomeric features for applications in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Rattan
- Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 120 Governors Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
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Nava G, Yang T, Vitali V, Minzioni P, Cristiani I, Bragheri F, Osellame R, Bethge L, Klussmann S, Paraboschi EM, Asselta R, Bellini T. Newtonian to non-newtonian fluid transition of a model transient network. SOFT MATTER 2018; 14:3288-3295. [PMID: 29691545 DOI: 10.1039/c8sm00373d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The viscosity of gel-forming fluids is notoriously complex and its study can benefit from new model systems that enable a detailed control of the network features. Here we use a novel and simple microfluidic-based active microrheology approach to study the transition from Newtonian to non-Newtonian behavior in a DNA hydrogel whose structure, connectivity, density of bonds, bond energy and kinetics are strongly temperature dependent and well known. In a temperature range of 15 °C, the system reversibly and continuously transforms from a Newtonian dispersion of low-valence nanocolloids into a strongly shear-thinning fluid, passing through a set of intermediate states where it behaves as a power-law fluid. We demonstrate that the knowledge of network topology and bond free energy enables to quantitatively predict the observed behavior using established rheology models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Nava
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20129 Milano, Italy.
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Olsen BD, Boudouris BW. Catalyst: Advancing Polymer Science by Revisiting Known Plastics. Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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