A Modular Route toward Macromer-Based Dynamic Gels via Prebonded Boronic Ester Cross-Links

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

• Reversible polymer gels possess dynamic cross-links enabling self-healing, stress relaxation, and stimuli-responsiveness.
• Boronic ester bonds are favored for their biocompatibility, selectivity, and tunable dynamics in creating dynamic polymer networks.
• Conventional macromer functionalization for boronic ester networks is time- and cost-intensive, limiting material design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a modular and efficient strategy for synthesizing macromer-based dynamic polymer networks.
• To bypass the need for synthesizing new macromers by utilizing prebonded cross-linkers.
• To enable tunable mechanical and dynamic properties in polymer gels through a simplified approach.

Main Methods:

• Coupling prebonded boronic esters to commercial thiol-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) macromers.
• Utilizing UV-initiated "click" chemistry for efficient network formation.
• Characterizing the resulting polymer networks for mechanical and dynamic properties.

Main Results:

• Achieved straightforward network synthesis and characterization in high yield under modest UV light.
• Demonstrated a modular approach allowing access to tunable network properties without new macromer synthesis.
• Obtained materials exhibiting hallmark dynamic mechanical properties and spatiotemporal control over gel formation.

Conclusions:

• Prebonded cross-linkers offer a versatile platform for constructing macromer-based dynamic networks.
• The developed UV-initiated click chemistry route provides an efficient and modular method for dynamic gel synthesis.
• This strategy facilitates the creation of advanced polymer gels with tailored properties for diverse applications.