NU 2011-073
Inventors
Daniel E Fullenkamp Lihong He Phillip B Messersmith*
Abstract
Northwestern researchers have prepared cross-linked polymeric hydrogels through the complex formation of a branched catechol derivative of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with 1,3-benzenediboronic acid. This particular technology was inspired by previous studies of a catechol-containing polymer that mimics mussel adhesive proteins. The pH-responsiveness of the hydrogel has been fully characterized and demonstrates covalent gel behavior at alkaline pH and dissociation into a viscous liquid at neutral or acidic pH. This is the first report of a PEG hydrogel based on a complex containing a multifunctional catechol polymer and a bifunctional borate compound. The dynamic nature of the boronate ester linkages give rise to self-healing hydrogels exhibiting high stability at high pH and lower stability at low pH conditions.
Applications
Advantages
Publications
Lihong He, Dominic E. Fullenkamp, Jose G. Rivera and Phillip B. Messersmith (2011) pH responsive self-healing hydrogels formed by boronate-catechol complexation. Chemical Communications. 47: 7497-7499.
IP Status
A patent application has been filed.