A Rapidly Self‐Healing Host–Guest Supramolecular Hydrogel with High Mechanical Strength and Excellent Biocompatibility. (19th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Zhifang; Ren, Yipeng; Zhu, Ye; Hao, Lijing; Chen, Yunhua; An, Geng; Wu, Hongkai; Shi, Xuetao; Mao, Chuanbin
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie. Volume 130:Number 29(2018)
• Page Start: 9146
• Page End: 9150
• Publication Date: 2018-06-19
• Subjects: Biokompatibilität -- Mechanische Stärke -- Selbstheilung -- Supramolekulare Hydrogele -- Wirt-Gast-Systeme; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.201804400
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0044-8249

Abstract

Abstract: It is still a challenge to achieve both excellent mechanical strength and biocompatibility in hydrogels. In this study, we exploited two interactions to form a novel biocompatible, slicing‐resistant, and self‐healing hydrogel. The first was molecular host–guest recognition between a host (isocyanatoethyl acrylate modified β‐cyclodextrin) and a guest (2‐(2‐(2‐(2‐(adamantyl‐1‐oxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)ethanol acrylate) to form "three‐arm" host–guest supramolecules (HGSMs), and the second was covalent bonding between HGSMs (achieved by UV‐initiated polymerization) to form strong cross‐links in the hydrogel. The host–guest interaction enabled the hydrogel to rapidly self‐heal. When it was cut, fresh surfaces were formed with dangling host and guest molecules (due to the breaking of host–guest recognition), which rapidly recognized each other again to heal the hydrogel by recombination of the cut surfaces. The smart hydrogels hold promise for use as biomaterials for soft‐tissue repair.