Engineering bio-inspired peptide–polyurea hybrids with thermo-responsive shape memory behaviour

Abstract

This paper highlights the influence of peptide secondary structure on the shape memory behaviour of peptidic polyureas, driven by hydrogen bonding arrangement and microphase-separated morphology.

Secondary Structures in Synthetic Poly(Amino Acids): Homo‐ and Copolymers of Poly(Aib), Poly(Glu), and Poly(Asp)

“…Two of the most investigated homo poly(amino acid) are poly(glutamic acid) (PGlu n ) [ 101,102 ] and poly(aspartic acid) (PAsp n ) [ 103 ] as well as their side chain protected analogous poly( γ ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate) (P Bn Glu n ) and poly( β ‐benzyl‐L‐aspartate) (P Bn Asp n ). [ 104,105 ] In recent years, the side chain protected forms of poly(glutamic acid) and poly(aspartic acid), P Bn Glu n and P Bn Asp n , became one of the most important classes of synthetic poly(amino acids). Especially, hybrid‐polymers consisting of PAsp n and poly(ethylene glycol) attracted a lot of attention as carrier for anti‐cancer drugs.…”

Leveraging peptide–cellulose interactions to tailor the hierarchy and mechanics of peptide–polymer hybrids

“…41,42 It is important to note that the CO stretching band of hydrogen-bonded and ordered urea groups appears at 1600–1625 cm −1 . 38 The neat PPUs (A20-10/CNC0; A20-20/CNC0) exhibit a mixture of α-helices and β-sheets. Comparing these two PPUs reveals that the intensity of the α-helix band increases with increasing PBLA weight fraction (A20-20), indicating that the higher PBLA content promotes an α-helical arrangement.…”

A Field Guide to Optimizing Peptoid Synthesis

“…While these properties have yet to be explored for peptoids, one area they could be applied is in shape memory polymers which require flexible soft segments and physically cross-linked “netpoints” to exhibit shape memory behaviors . Peptides have been explored as the soft segments in shape memory polymers because their self-assembly and capacity for hydrogen-bonding allow for good shape recovery and modulation of the shape memory response . It is conceivable that peptoids could also be successfully incorporated as blocks in shape memory polymers.…”

“…105 Peptides have been explored as the soft segments in shape memory polymers because their self-assembly and capacity for hydrogen-bonding allow for good shape recovery and modulation of the shape memory response. 106 It is conceivable that peptoids could also be successfully incorporated as blocks in shape memory polymers. Peptoids exhibiting ordered and predictable self-assembly and hydrogen-bonding motifs can be incorporated in side chains to design shape memory materials with tunable functions.…”