Engineering tough, highly compressible, biodegradable hydrogels by tuning the network architecture. Issue 50 (9th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gu, Dunyin; Tan, Shereen; Xu, Chenglong; O'Connor, Andrea J.; Qiao, Greg G.
• Is Part Of: Chemical communications. Volume 53:Issue 50(2017)
• Page Start: 6756
• Page End: 6759
• Publication Date: 2017-06-09
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1039/c7cc02811c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-7345

Abstract

Abstract : By tailoring the network architecture, tough, highly compressible, biodegradable hydrogels have been developed. This study also shows that the arrangement of each component in the network has a more significant effect on the overall mechanical properties than the network composition. Abstract : By precisely tuning the network architecture, tough, highly compressible hydrogels were engineered. The hydrogels were made by interconnecting high-functionality hydrophobic domains through linear tri-block chains, consisting of soft hydrophilic middle blocks, flanked with flexible hydrophobic blocks. In showing their applicability, the efficient encapsulation and prolonged release of hydrophobic drugs were achieved.