Modular Synthesis and Patterning of High-Stiffness Networks by Postpolymerization Functionalization with Iron-Catechol Complexes.

ABSTRACT: Bioinspired iron-catechol cross-links have shown remarkable success in increasing the mechanical properties of polymer networks, in part due to clustering of Fe³⁺-catechol domains which act as secondary network reinforcing sites. We report a versatile synthetic procedure to prepare modular PEG-acrylate networks with independently tunable covalent bis(acrylate) and supramolecular Fe³⁺-catechol cross-linking. Initial control of network structure is achieved through radical polymerization and cross-linking, followed by postpolymerization incorporation of catechol units via quantitative active ester chemistry and subsequent complexation with iron salts. By tuning the ratio of each building block, dual cross-linked networks reinforced by clustered iron-catechol domains are

SUBMITTER: Shannon DP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10064740 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature