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Chemical signal regulated injectable coacervate hydrogels
Bohang Wu1,2, Reece W Lewis2, Guotai Li2
1East China University of Science and Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering Meilong Road 130 200237 Shanghai China.
Chemical Science
|February 16, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed novel coacervate hydrogels using a chemical reaction network. These advanced materials offer precise control over gel properties and degradation, paving the way for new injectable, signal-responsive applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Coacervate hydrogels are promising stimuli-responsive materials for sol-gel transitions.
- Conventional coacervates respond to non-specific signals (temperature, pH, salt), limiting applications.
- A need exists for coacervate materials with precisely controllable functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a coacervate hydrogel platform utilizing a Michael addition-based chemical reaction network (CRN).
- To enable tuning of coacervate material states via specific chemical signals.
- To develop advanced coacervate hydrogels with enhanced properties for specific applications.
Main Methods:
- Designed a pyridine-based ABA triblock copolymer.
- Utilized a Michael addition-based CRN for gel construction and collapse.
- Regulated quaternization using an allyl acetate electrophile and an amine nucleophile in the presence of polyanions.
Main Results:
- Achieved highly tunable stiffness and gelation times.
- Demonstrated excellent self-healing ability and injectability through needles of varying sizes.
- Observed accelerated degradation triggered by chemical signal-induced coacervation disruption.
Conclusions:
- Developed a novel coacervate hydrogel platform responsive to specific chemical signals.
- The material exhibits tunable properties, self-healing, injectability, and controllable degradation.
- This work represents a significant step towards creating a new class of signal-responsive injectable materials.
