<i>50th Anniversary Perspective</i>: Polymeric Biomaterials: Diverse Functions Enabled by Advances in Macromolecular Chemistry

Liang, Yingkai; Li, Linqing; Scott, R.; Kiick, Kristi L.

doi:10.1021/acs.macromol.6b02389

Cited by 62 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 245 publications

(457 reference statements)

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“…3,11,36,[56][57][58][59][60][61] In addition, the current study may shed light on how reversible polymer networks are controlled in biological systems. 15,17,21,62,63 Theory of ideal reversible polymer networks…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ideal reversible polymer networks

Parada

Zhao²

2018

Soft Matter

129

134

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In this article we introduce the concept of ideal reversible polymer networks, which have well-controlled polymer network structures similar to ideal covalent polymer networks but exhibit viscoelastic behaviors due to the presence of reversible crosslinks. We first present a theory to describe the mechanical properties of ideal reversible polymer networks. Because short polymer chains of equal length are used to construct the network, there are no chain entanglements and the chains' Rouse relaxation time is much shorter than the reversible crosslinks' characteristic time. Therefore, the ideal reversible polymer network behaves as a single Maxwell element of a spring and a dashpot in series, with the instantaneous shear modulus and relaxation time determined by the concentration of elastically-active chains and the dynamics of reversible crosslinks, respectively. The theory provides general methods to (i) independently control the instantaneous shear modulus and relaxation time of the networks, and to (ii) quantitatively measure kinetic parameters of the reversible crosslinks, including reaction rates and activation energies, from macroscopic viscoelastic measurements. To validate the proposed theory and methods, we synthesized and characterized the mechanical properties of a hydrogel composed of 4-arm polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers end-functionalized with reversible crosslinks. All the experiments conducted by varying pH, temperature and polymer concentration were consistent with the predictions of our proposed theory and methods for ideal reversible polymer networks.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ideal reversible polymer networks

Parada

Zhao²

2018

Soft Matter

129

134

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“…The design of new functional materials often requires a precise control of the structure at different scales. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] In polymer blends, this task is quite challenging due to the complex relationships between their properties, microstructures, and processing conditions. Recently, bioinspired gradient polymer materials have attracted a lot of attention due to their characteristic morphologies and properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tuning gradient microstructures in immiscible polymer blends by viscosity ratio

Dan

Hufenus

Qin

et al. 2019

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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Bioinspired gradient microstructures provide an attractive template for functional materials with tailored properties. In this study, filaments with gradient microstructures are developed by melt‐spinning of immiscible polymer blends. The distribution of the gradient morphology is shown to be controlled by the viscosity ratio of polymers as well as the geometry of the capillary die. Distinct microstructure gradients with long thin fibrils near the surface region and short large droplets near the center region of the filament, as well as the inverse pattern, are formed in systems with different viscosity ratios. The shear flow field in the capillary can elucidate the formation mechanisms of gradient morphologies during processing. The results demonstrate how the features of a gradient microstructure can be tailored by the design of capillary geometry and processing conditions. The viscosity ratio is then introduced as an adjusting tool to control the gradient morphology in a given processing setup. In consequence, this study provides novel design routes for achieving gradient morphologies in immiscible polymers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48165.

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“…Analogously, PDMS is a non-aqueous material and therefore cannot be used for this purpose. Advances in macromolecular chemistry and material science has enabled the design of new biocompatible materials to impart the hierarchical structure, biological complexity and dynamic mechanical properties of natural ECM [41][42][43] .…”

Section: Degradable Crosslinks: the Missing Link To Study Cell Mechanmentioning

confidence: 99%