Work

Calcium Ions to Cross-Link Supramolecular Nanofibers to Tune the Elasticity of Hydrogels over Orders of Magnitude

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: Learning from the stabilization of protein structures, we combine aromatic-aromatic and electrostatic interactions to tailor the elasticity of supramolecular hydrogels. Specifically, calcium ions allow interfiber cross-links among the supramolecular nanofibers of small peptides that consist of multiple carboxylic acid and aromatic groups. A small change in the concentration of calcium increases the elasticity of hydrogels over several orders of magnitude. This simple approach not only demonstrates a biomimetic design of materials but also confirms that the combination of multiple aromatic-aromatic interactions and multiple calcium salt bridges is a feasible way to control the mechanical properties of soft nanomaterials.

Source: Langmuir

DOI: 10.1021/la2033862

Authors: Junfeng Shi, Yuan Gao, Ye Zhang, Yue Pan, Bing Xu

Institution: Brandeis University

Language: English

Topic: Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Cancer Institute

Award: Subcellular enzyme-instructed self-assembly for molecular anticancer nanomedicines