Formation of Cucurbit[8]uril-Based Supramolecular Hydrogel Beads Using Droplet-Based Microfluidics

Herein we describe the use of microdroplets as templates for the fabrication of uniform-sized supramolecular hydrogel beads, assembled by supramolecular cross-linking of functional biopolymers with the macrocyclic host molecule, cucurbit[8]­uril (CB[8]). The microdroplets were formed containing diluted hydrogel precursors in solution, including the functional polymers and CB[8], in a microfluidic device. Subsequent evaporation of water from collected microdroplets concentrated the contents, driving the formation of the CB[8]-mediated host–guest ternary complex interactions and leading to the assembly of condensed three-dimensional polymeric scaffolds. Rehydration of the dried particles gave monodisperse hydrogel beads. Their equilibrium size was shown to be dependent on both the quantity of material loaded and the dimensions of the microfluidic flow focus. Fluorescein-labeled dextran was used to evaluate the efficacy of the hydrogel beads as a vector for controlled cargo release. Both passive, sustained release (hours) and triggered, fast release (minutes) of the FITC-dextran was observed, with the rate of sustained release dependent on the formulation. The kinetics of release was fitted to the Ritger-Peppas controlled release equation and shown to follow an anomalous (non-Fickian) transport mechanism

Postpolymerization Modification of Hydroxyl-Functionalized Polymers with Isocyanates

The postpolymerization functionalization of hydroxyl-group terminated polymers (Mn in the range of 1000–6000 g mol–1) such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAM), and poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) with a wide range of functional isocyanate derivatives such as azobenzene, viologen, and anthracene has been investigated. It was shown by 1H and 13C NMR, GPC, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) that a high degree of end-group conversion, typically >98%, with little or no formation of side products can be achieved at ambient temperature. PNIPAM, PDMAM, PtBA, and PHEAM polymers have been obtained by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization from a hydroxyl-group containing chain transfer agent (CTA). The formation of the carbamate has been shown to be compatible with the trithiocarbonate end-group of the RAFT polymers. Additionally, this approach allows for the direct functionalization of RAFT polymers without the need of additional steps such as deprotection or aminolysis of the CTA. This route was subsequently used for the preparation of a variety of side-chain functional polymers from poly(N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide) (PHEAM). Three different high yielding methods have been employed to prepare the isocyanates (R–NCO). Either amino or carboxylic acid precursors have been converted into the desired R–NCO or hydroxyl group moieties have been reacted with an excess of 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) to statistically form the monofunctional product

Supramolecular Cross-Linked Networks <i>via</i> Host−Guest Complexation with Cucurbit[8]uril

The ability to finely tune the solution viscosity of an aqueous system is critical in many applications ranging from large-scale fluid-based industrial processes to free-standing hydrogels important in regenerative medicine, controlled drug delivery, and ‘green’ self-healing materials. Herein we demonstrate the use of the macrocyclic host molecule cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) to facilitate reversible cross-linking of multivalent copolymers with high binding constants (Ka > 1011−1012 M−2) leading to a supramolecular hydrogel. Multivalent copolymers were prepared by free radical polymerization techniques and contained either pendant methyl viologen (a good first guest for CB[8]) or naphthoxy derivatives (good second guests for CB[8]). A colorless solution of the two multivalent copolymers bearing first and second guests, respectively, can be transformed into a highly viscous, colored supramolecular hydrogel with the cross-link density being easily controlled through CB[8] addition. Moreover, the cross-links (1:1:1 supramolecular ternary complexes of CB[8]/viologen/naphthoxy) are dynamic and stimuli-responsive, and the material properties can be modulated by temperature or other external stimuli. Rheological characterization of the bulk material properties of these dynamically cross-linked networks provided insight into the kinetics of CB[8] ternary complexation responsible for elastically active cross-linking with a second guest dissociation rate constant (kd) of 1200 s−1 for the ternary complex. These materials exhibited intermediate mechanical properties at 5 wt % in water (plateau modulus = 350−600 Pa and zero-shear viscosity = 5−55 Pa·s), which is complementary to existing supramolecular hydrogels. Additionally, these supramolecular hydrogels exhibited thermal reversibility and subsequent facile modulation of microstructure upon further addition of CB[8] and thermal treatment. The fundamental knowledge gained from the study of these dynamic materials will facilitate progress in the field of smart, self-healing materials, self-assembled hydrogels, and controlled solution viscosity

Ultrahigh-Water-Content Supramolecular Hydrogels Exhibiting Multistimuli Responsiveness

Hydrogels are three-dimensional networked materials that are similar to soft biological tissues and have highly variable mechanical properties, making them increasingly important in a variety of biomedical and industrial applications. Herein we report the preparation of extremely high water content hydrogels (up to 99.7% water by weight) driven by strong host–guest complexation with cucurbit[8]­uril (CB[8]). Cellulosic derivatives and commodity polymers such as poly­(vinyl alcohol) were modified with strongly binding guests for CB[8] ternary complex formation (<i>K</i>_eq = 10¹² M^–2). When these polymers were mixed in the presence of CB[8], whereby the overall solid content was 90% cellulosic, a lightly colored, transparent hydrogel was formed instantaneously. The supramolecular nature of these hydrogels affords them with highly tunable mechanical properties, and the dynamics of the CB[8] ternary complex cross-links allows for rapid self-healing of the materials after damage caused by deformation. Moreover, these hydrogels display responsivity to a multitude of external stimuli, including temperature, chemical potential, and competing guests. These materials are easily processed, and the simplicity of their preparation, their availability from inexpensive renewable resources, and the tunability of their properties are distinguishing features for many important water-based applications

Synthesis of Conducting Polymer–Metal Nanoparticle Hybrids Exploiting RAFT Polymerization

The direct covalent attachment of conducting polymers (CP) to nanoparticles (NP) to form CP-NP nanohybrids is of great interest for optoelectronic device applications. Hybrids formed by covalently anchoring CP to NP, rather than traditional blending or bilayer approaches, is highly desirable. CP-NP nanohybrids have increased interfacial surface area between the two components, facilitating rapid exciton diffusion at the <i>p</i>–<i>n</i> heterojunction. These materials take advantage of the facile solution processability, lightweight characteristics, flexibility, and mechanical strength associated with CPs, and the broad spectral absorption, photostability, and high charge carrier mobility of NPs. We demonstrate the ability to polymerize a hole transporting (HT) polymer utilizing reversible-addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and its subsequent rapid aminolysis to yield a thiol-terminated HT polymer. Subsequent facile attachment to gold (Au) and silver (Ag) NPs and cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots (QDs), to form a number of CP–NP systems is demonstrated and characterized. CP–NP nanohybrids show broad spectral absorptions ranging from UV through visible to the near IR, and their facile synthesis and purification could allow for large scale industrial applications

A Multiscale Model for Solute Diffusion in Hydrogels

The number of biomedical applications of hydrogels is increasing rapidly on account of their unique physical, structural, and mechanical properties. The utility of hydrogels as drug delivery systems or tissue engineering scaffolds critically depends on the control of diffusion of solutes through the hydrogel matrix. Predicting or even modeling this diffusion is challenging due to the complex structure of hydrogels. Currently, the diffusivity of solutes in hydrogels is typically modeled by one of three main theories proceeding from distinct diffusion mechanisms: (i) hydrodynamic, (ii) free volume, and (iii) obstruction theory. Yet, a comprehensive predictive model is lacking. Thus, time and capital-intensive trial-and-error procedures are used to test the viability of hydrogel applications. In this work, we have developed a model for the diffusivity of solutes in hydrogels combining the three main theoretical frameworks, which we call the multiscale diffusion model (MSDM). We verified the MSDM by analyzing the diffusivity of dextran of different sizes in a series of poly­(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels with distinct mesh sizes. We measured the subnanoscopic free volume by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) to characterize the physical hierarchy of these materials. In addition, we performed a meta-analysis of literature data from previous studies on the diffusion of solutes in hydrogels. The model presented outperforms traditional models in predicting solute diffusivity in hydrogels and provides a practical approach to predicting the transport properties of solutes such as drugs through hydrogels used in many biomedical applications

Bone mineral density change (%) at the femoral neck of astronauts <i>versus</i> duration of spaceflight.

Grey dots represent experimental data obtained in previous missions as measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Two different potential human missions to Mars are highlighted: (i) opposition-class, with a duration of 400–600 days (area with red dots) and (ii) conjunction-class, with a duration of 1000–1200 days (area with red lines). The predictive model is represented by the solid, black line, with the 95% confidence interval limits plotted in dashed, black lines, and the plateau by the dot-dashed, black line. A comparison with the (unphysical) linear model can be found in S1–S3 Figs.</p

Values of the parameters obtained for the mathematical model for the bone mineral density loss for long duration spaceflights.

Values of the parameters obtained for the mathematical model for the bone mineral density loss for long duration spaceflights.</p

Percent loss in bone mineral density at femoral neck in astronauts (N = 69) after 132- to 228-day spaceflights.

Percent loss in bone mineral density at femoral neck in astronauts (N = 69) after 132- to 228-day spaceflights.</p