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Kinetically Controlled Lifetimes in Redox-Responsive Transient Supramolecular Hydrogels
Jonathan P Wojciechowski1, Adam D Martin1, Pall Thordarson1
1School of Chemistry, the Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and The ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, the University of New South Wales , Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|February 7, 2018
Summary
Researchers developed transient supramolecular hydrogels using kinetic control. The hydrogel lifetimes, based on N,N'-dibenzoyl-l-cystine (DBC), are tunable via pH or reducing agent concentration.
Area of Science:
- Soft matter physics
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Materials science
Background:
- Programming dynamic, time-dependent properties in soft materials remains a significant challenge.
- Supramolecular hydrogels offer potential for tunable material properties but often lack precise temporal control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a strategy for designing transient supramolecular hydrogels with tunable lifetimes.
- To investigate the kinetic mechanisms governing the formation and disassembly of these hydrogels.
- To demonstrate the cyclability and predictability of the transient hydrogel system.
Main Methods:
- Utilized pH-triggered self-assembly of a redox-active supramolecular gelator, N,N -dibenzoyl-l-cystine (DBC).
- Employed a reducing agent to control the disassembly kinetics of the hydrogel system.
- Performed kinetic analysis to understand the interplay between gel formation and disassembly rates.
- Demonstrated multiple clean cycling of the transient hydrogels.
Main Results:
- Successfully designed transient supramolecular hydrogels with tunable lifetimes.
- Hydrogel lifetimes were effectively modulated by adjusting pH or reducing agent concentration.
- Kinetic analysis revealed that gel formation impedes the reducing agent, extending hydrogel stability.
- Observed clean, reversible cycling without kinetically trapped aggregates.
Conclusions:
- Established a method for creating transient soft materials with predictable temporal control.
- The kinetic control strategy enables the design of dynamic supramolecular assemblies.
- This work advances the understanding and application of responsive hydrogel systems.
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