title: Well-defined and biocompatible hydrogels with toughening and reversible photoresponsive properties.
abstract: In the present study, novel hydrogels with extremely high strength, reversible photoresponsive and excellent biocompatible properties were prepared. The functional hydrogels were synthesized from a well-defined poly (ethylene glycol) polymer with spiropyran groups at a given position (PEG-SP) via a Cu(i)-catalyst Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. The molecular structures of the sequential intermediates for PEG-SP hydrogel preparation were verified by (1)HNMR and FT-IR. The mechanical property, swelling ratio, compression strength, surface hydrophilicity, and biocompatibility of the resulting hydrogel were characterized. Since spiropyran is pivotal to the switch in hydrophilicity on the hydrogel surface, the swelling ratio of PEG-SP hydrogel under Vis irradiation has a major decrease (155%). Before and after UV light irradiation, the contact angle of the hydrogel has a change of 13.8°. The photoresponsive property of this hydrogel was thus demonstrated, and such a property was also shown to be reversible. The well-defined PEG-SP hydrogel can also sustain a compressive stress of 49.8 MPa without any macro- or micro-damage, indicating its outstanding mechanical performance. Furthermore, it possessed excellent biocompatibility as demonstrated by its performance in an in vivo porcine subcutaneous implantation environment. No inflammation was observed and it got along well with the adjacent tissue. The above features indicate that PEG-SP hydrogels are promising as an implantable matrix for potential applications in biomaterial.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 211189, P. R. China. fu7352@seu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Zhiqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Shunli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Kewen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Linhua
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Lian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cen
authors.forename: Guodong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D000480:Alkynes / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001386:Azides / Q000737:chemistry; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000528:radiation effects; D002384:Catalysis; D061565:Cycloaddition Reaction; D006244:Hardness; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000528:radiation effects; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D020007:Implants, Experimental / Q000662:veterinary*; D007211:Indoles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009574:Nitro Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D013552:Swine; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000480:Alkynes; D001386:Azides; D001578:Benzopyrans; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020100:Hydrogels; D007211:Indoles; D009574:Nitro Compounds; C088184:spiropyran; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols