Bisurea-Based Supramolecular Polymers for Tunable Biomaterials.
Marle E J Vleugels1,2, Rik Bosman1,2, Piers H da Camino Soligo1,2
1Laboratory of Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|November 30, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed water-soluble supramolecular polymers from bisurea monomers. These dynamic biomaterials exhibit enhanced stability in physiological conditions, showing potential for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Water-soluble supramolecular polymers are promising for creating dynamic biomaterials.
- Bisurea-based monomers offer a versatile platform for designing such polymers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphology, stability, and dynamicity of supramolecular polymers derived from bisurea monomers.
- To explore the influence of hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance on polymer properties.
- To assess the potential of these polymers as dynamic biomaterials.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of desymmetrized bisurea monomers from 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI).
- Modification of monomer hydrophobicity by varying methylene units.
- Characterization of supramolecular polymer morphology and structure (fibrous structures).
- Evaluation of polymer stability in water and cell culture media.
- Assessment of cytotoxicity in various cell lines.
Main Results:
- Bisurea monomers formed long, fibrous supramolecular structures in water.
- Polymer stability increased with longer methylene units, while monomer dynamicity decreased.
- Modified monomers (with Cy3 dye) co-assembled into fibrous structures.
- All systems demonstrated excellent water-compatibility and no toxicity to cell lines.
- Fibrous structures remained stable in cell culture media, indicating physiological compatibility.
Conclusions:
- Bisurea-based supramolecular polymers exhibit tunable stability and morphology.
- These polymers are water-compatible, non-toxic, and stable under physiological conditions.
- The findings support the use of these bisurea building blocks for developing advanced dynamic biomaterials.
