Structurally dynamic hydrogels derived from 1,2-dithiolanes.
The design and generation of adaptable materials derived from structurally dynamic polymers provides a strategy for generating smart materials that can respond to environmental stimuli or exhibit self-healing behavior. Herein we report an expedient organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization of cyclic carbonates containing pendant dithiolanes (trimethylene carbonate/dithiolane, TMCDT) from poly(ethylene oxide) diols to generate water-soluble triblock (ABA) copolymers containing a central poly(ethylene oxide) block and terminal dithiolane blocks. Hydrogels generated from the triblock copolymers and a cross-linking dithiol exhibited dynamic behavior as a result of the reversible ring opening of the pendant 1,2-dithiolanes. These materials exhibit self-healing behavior, can be injected through a syringe, and rapidly recover their mechanical properties after a severe strain deformation. The dynamic properties of these gels can be modulated with the number of dithiolane units, pH, and temperature.
Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.
Gregg A
GA
Barcan
Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.
Xiangyi
X
Zhang
Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States.
Robert M
RM
Waymouth