An amphiphilic silicone-modified polysaccharide molecular hybrid with in situ forming of hierarchical superporous architecture upon swelling

Abstract

Most hydrogels face the challenge that extensive water uptake deteriorates their mechanical integrity, which restricts potential uses and, in some cases, reduces therapeutic performance in biomedical applications. Motivated by the concept that structural optimization was able to improve the mechanical properties whilst maintaining a high water uptake, in this work we designed a new type of strong network, i.e. PDMS-crosslinked-NOCC polymer networks (PMSC CAPNs), by esterification between cross-linked PDMS diol (bis(hydroxyalkyl) terminated polydimethylsiloxane, silicone) and NOCC (N,O-carboxymethyl chitosan). By manipulating the cross-linked density with PDMS, a hierarchical structure in which PDMS-rich microgels were randomly distributed within the underlying PMSC hydrogel could be tailored through the control of polymer-polymer and polymer-solvent interactions. Besides, the resulting hybrid hydrogel displayed an efficient self-foaming capability to create in situ a hierarchical superporous microarchitecture upon swelling. The swelling behavior accounted for by Flory-Rehner theory indicated that the PDMS macromonomeric crosslinker not only caused the development of a superporous microarchitecture under solvation effects but also escalated both strength and elasticity to the final hydrogel. A new swelling model based on spectroscopic examination of the PMSC CAPNs was successfully proposed, which nicely defined the unique structural transition of the hydrogel upon swelling. We also envision the potential development of such a hybrid hydrogel for advanced biomedical applications.

Preparation, Characterization and İnvestigation of Swelling Behavior of HEMA-Based Amphiphilic Semi-IPN Cryogels Containing Polymeric Linoleic Acid

“…At this stage, peptides, polysaccharides and organic acids can be used as natural molecules, while commercial monomers can be preferred as synthetic bases. Peptide [24], [25], polysaccharide (α-cyclodextrins [26], chitosan [27], pullulan [28]), or organic acid [29] based amphiphilic hydrogels are the most common of examples for natural sources. It can be prepared with environmentally friendly methods at low costs and, thanks to its biodegradable and renewable material properties, vegetable oils or triglycerides of fatty acids can be considered as alternative comonomer sources for synthesis of amphiphilic hydrogels [30].…”

Gene-Embedded Nanostructural Biotic–Abiotic Optoelectrode Arrays Applied for Synchronous Brain Optogenetics and Neural Signal Recording

“…Bioactive conductive polymer composed of conductive polymers and natural biocompatible macromolecules, such as proteins or polysaccharides, presented a tissue-mimicked three-dimensional environment that not only facilitated the interconnection with surrounding cells but also enhanced the transduction of electrical and chemical signals. − Here, we presented a new implantable optic-driven neural probe that was equipped with gene vehicle-embedded bioelectrodes to enable precise optogenetics via targeted optogenetic gene delivery, as shown in Scheme . The biotic–abiotic conjugates composed of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and conductive polyelectrolyte, 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT)-modified amphiphilic chitosan (PMSDT) at thermodynamic equilibrium self-assembled into a nanogel-based architecture with tissue-mimicking properties, ionic/electrical conductivity, and biocompatibility. , Moreover, to increase the efficiency of gene transfection, a new nonviral gene vector consisting of neurotensin (NT) and polyethylenimine (PEI)-coupled plasmid DNA (called PEI–NT–pDNA) was developed to enhance the targeting ability toward neurons. By taking advantage of device fabrication in combination with nanomaterials and biological technology, the new neural optoelectrode probe embedded with both genetics and optics was expected to achieve electroporation for gene transfection and spatiotemporal control of opsin distribution locally.…”

A self-assembled intercalated metal–organic framework electrode with outstanding area capacity for high volumetric energy asymmetric capacitors

“…Importantly, the experimental energy and power capabilities measured for very thin and/or large amounts of conducting carbon electrodes make only small contributions to actual cell performance. 35,36 Herein, we will report on a high loading weight iMOF electrode through self-assembly using amphiphilic polymers with oxygen-containing functional groups like carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or polyacrylic acid (PAA) containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic units that are able to self-assemble in aqueous solutions by non-covalent interactions, 37 which have oen been used to synthesize drug delivery agents 38,39 and uorescent materials. 40…”