Homopolymer self-assembly of poly(propylene sulfone) hydrogels via dynamic noncovalent sulfone–sulfone bonding
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Natural biomolecules such as peptides and DNA can dynamically self-organize into diverse hierarchical structures. Mimicry of this homopolymer self-assembly using synthetic systems has remained limited but would be advantageous for the design of adaptive bio/nanomaterials. Here, we report both experiments and simulations on the dynamic network self-assembly and subsequent collapse of the synthetic homopolymer poly(propylene sulfone). The assembly is directed by dynamic noncovalent sulfone-sulfone bonds that are susceptible to solvent polarity. The hydration history, specified by the stepwise increase in water ratio within lower polarity water-miscible solvents like dimethylsulfoxide, controls the homopolymer assembly into crystalline frameworks or uniform nanostructured hydrogels of spherical, vesicular, or cylindrical morphologies. These electrostatic hydrogels have a high affinity for a wide range of organic solutes, achieving >95% encapsulation efficiency for hydrophilic small molecules and biologics. This system validates sulfone-sulfone bonding for dynamic self-assembly, presenting a robust platform for controllable gelation, nanofabrication, and molecular encapsulation.
Source: Nature Communications
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,380
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, Dow Chemical Company, DuPont, Northwestern University, Sherman Fairchild Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Office of Science, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Basic Energy Sciences, Argonne National Laboratory
Awards: G102163711, G107546177, G1218932987, G1313983767, G1505794299, G1664757510, G193830366, G2101401529, G222768804, G2287611682, G2423308310, ELECTROSTATIC DRIVEN SELF-ASSEMBLY DESIGN OF FUNCTIONAL NANOSTRUCTURES, G262962599, CAREER: Rational design of a biomimetic nanomaterial library to probe mechanisms behind virus-induced immunopathology, G2887060908, G2980159964, G3075337988, Development of combination immunotherapies for atherosclerotic inflammation, G340565428, G3954585026, G498139845, G5106849484, G513797252, G5607048534, G6042521547, G6671297155, G6848031779, G6918803902, Leveraging immunostimulatory pathways that enhance BCG vaccination for the rational design of synthetic neonatal vaccine formulations, G7368700025, ELECTROSTATIC DRIVEN SELF ASSEMBLY DESIGN OF FUNCTIONAL NANOSTRUCTURES, G7889982824, G8500532866, ELECTROSTATIC DRIVEN SELF ASSEMBLY DESIGN OF FUNCTIONAL NANOSTRUCTURES, G875283887, G969889393, G993121649, G993149817
OpenAlex ID: W3090971852