Dialing in the Ratio of Covalent and Coordination Cross-links in Self-healing Hydrogels

Amanda Andersen, Marie Krogsgaard, Henrik Birkedal

Research output: Contribution to conferencePosterResearch

Abstract

Mussel-inspired hydrogels have drawn considerable attention. They can be based on either covalent crosslinking through catechol oxidation chemistry or on coordination chemistry through reversible catecholato–metal bonds, which incorporates self-healing properties.1-6 For practical applications; it is of great interest to control the degree of which these are present; i.e. controlling the degree of catechol oxidation.

Here, we report hydrogels in which the catechols participating in reversible (oxidation resistant catechol-analogue6) and irreversible oxidation cross-links are separated, enabling one to predefine the ratio of the two by altering the composition. The oxidation-resistant catechol-analogue was grafted onto polyallylamine,4 while the oxidation cross-links are introduced by addition of tannic acid that has the same useful properties as catechols.5,7,8 This affords hydrogels that retain self-healing abilities even at high pH but that can be stiffened at will by dialing in the required degree of covalent crosslinking. This dial-in method thus harnesses two aspects of catechol-type chemistries to yield double network hydrogels in a straightforward and highly controllable manner.
Original languageEnglish
Publication date6 Mar 2017
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 6 Mar 2017
EventFifth International Conference on Multifunctional, Hybrid and Nanomaterials - Lisboa Congress Centre , Lisbon, Portugal
Duration: 6 Mar 201710 Mar 2017

Conference

ConferenceFifth International Conference on Multifunctional, Hybrid and Nanomaterials
LocationLisboa Congress Centre
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityLisbon
Period06/03/201710/03/2017

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