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Persistent Identifier
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perma:LIST.AMFILV |
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Publication Date
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2026-07-06 |
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Title
| Peptide-reinforced, photocrosslinkable PEG-based hydrogels [* Cross-Reference *] |
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Other Identifier
| https://doi.org/10.1039/d5lp00335k
SCOPUS_ID:105029454340 |
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Author
| Russell, Sam (Technische Universität Darmstadt, Technische Universität Darmstadt, University of Strathclyde)Technische Universität Darmstadt, Technische Universität Darmstadt, University of StrathclydeORCID0000-0002-8906-4742
Jang, Daseul (University of Delaware College of Engineering)University of Delaware College of EngineeringORCID0000-0003-0138-4627
Thomas, Jessica (University of Delaware College of Engineering)
Grysan, Patrick (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology)Luxembourg Institute of Science and TechnologyORCID0000-0003-2081-8267
Sprandl, Linus (Technische Universität Darmstadt)
Biesalski, Markus (Technische Universität Darmstadt)
Korley, La Shanda T.J. (University of Delaware College of Engineering, University of Delaware College of Engineering)University of Delaware College of Engineering, University of Delaware College of EngineeringORCID0000-0002-8266-5000
Bruns, Nico (Technische Universität Darmstadt, Technische Universität Darmstadt, University of Strathclyde)Technische Universität Darmstadt, Technische Universität Darmstadt, University of StrathclydeORCID0000-0001-6199-9995 |
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Point of Contact
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Use email button above to contact.
LIST RDS (LIST) |
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Description
| Hydrogels are polymer networks that swell in aqueous solvents. These materials have applications in many fields, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, and soft robotics. For example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) diacrylate is often used as a light-curable crosslinker for the synthesis of PEG-based hydrogels, e.g., in bioinks for 3D printing. However, a common limitation of PEG hydrogels is their typically poor mechanical properties, particularly when in a swollen state. The mechanical strength of natural polymeric materials, such as spider silk and collagen, arises from the formation of hierarchical secondary protein structures that unfold under mechanical load. Here, we present a bio-inspired approach to reinforcing PEG-based hydrogels that mimics these hierarchical structures by incorporating poly(β-benzyl-l-aspartate) (PBLA) blocks between cross-linking end groups and PEG chain segments. We used this peptide-containing crosslinker in combination with a small hydrophilic comonomer, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, to synthesise PHEA-linked by-(PBLA-b-PEG-b-PBLA) co-networks with tailored compositions, yielding improved and tailorable mechanical properties. This approach affords hydrogels with increased strength and toughness while retaining the networks’ swelling ability. This research presents a promising avenue for developing robust photocrosslinkable hydrogels with broad practical applications. (2026-03-01)
***This entry has been automatically imported via Infodoc(ASO) CSV by LIST harvest scripts. Please refer to https://doi.org/10.1039/d5lp00335k for the original and latest version of the dataset and data downloads*** (2026-06-04) |
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Subject
| Physics |
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Keyword
| aqueous solvents
polymer networks
networks that swell
swell in aqueous
Hydrogels |
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Funding Information
| National Science Foundation: OISE 1844463 |
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Deposit Date
| 2026-03-01 |
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Data Type
| Article |
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Data Source
| Rsc Applied Polymers; eISSN: 2755371X, vol. 4, n° 2, pp. 704-715, 2026 |