ePrints

Versatile thiol-based reactions for micrometer- and nanometer-scale photopatterning of polymers and biomolecules

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Osama El-ZubirORCiD

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

In this paper, mechanically strong organic–inorganic nanocomposite (NC) gradient hydrogels were successfully prepared by the in situ polymerization of acrylamide (Am) and N,N-dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) using an electrophoresis method. Due to its specific colloidal properties, LAPONITE® showed directional movement in direct-current (DC) electric field and thus formed a gradient distribution in the hydrogel. The concentration gradient of LAPONITE® was characterized by UV-vis absorption, FTIR and TGA. The network structures of lyophilized gradient hydrogels were observed from SEM images. The TEM morphology indicated that LAPONITE® had a good gradient dispersion in the NC gradient hydrogel. As a physical crosslinker, LAPONITE® can regulate the cross-linking density of the hydrogel, thus affecting its mechanical properties. The NC gradient hydrogel exhibited a high mechanical strength (a gradient tensile strength ranging from 43.4 to 135.3 kPa and a gradient compression strength ranging from 116 kPa to 1100 kPa, depending on the distance from the anode). This work provided a facile method to develop NC gradient hydrogels with improved mechanical performance. The NC gradient hydrogels can be used as potential candidates in the field of biological and chemical materials.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Mostegel FH, Ducker RE, Rieger PH, El-Zubir O, Xia S, Radl SV, Edler M, Cartron ML, Hunter CN, Leggett GJ, Griesser T

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Materials Chemistry B: Materials for biology and medicine

Year: 2015

Volume: 3

Issue: 21

Pages: 4431-4438

Print publication date: 07/06/2015

Online publication date: 01/05/2015

Acceptance date: 30/04/2015

ISSN (print): 2050-750X

ISSN (electronic): 2050-7518

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5TB00345H

DOI: 10.1039/C5TB00345H

Altmetrics

Share