Advanced mechanical properties of amphiphilic polymer conetworks through hierarchical reinforcement with peptides and cellulose nanocrystals.

ABSTRACT: Amphiphilic polymer conetworks (APCNs) have been explored for various applications, including soft contact lenses, biomaterials, and membranes. They combine important properties of hydrogels and elastomers, including elasticity, transparency, and the capability to swell in water. Moreover, they also swell in organic solvents. However, their mechanical properties could be improved. We developed a two-level, bio-inspired, hierarchical reinforcement of APCNs using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) to reinforce peptide-reinforced APCNs formed from hydrophobic poly-β-benzyl-l-aspartate-block-polydimethylsiloxane-block-poly-β-benzyl-l-aspartate (PBLA-b-PDMS-b-PBLA) triblock copolymer crosslinkers and hydrophilic poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) chain segments. Bio-ins

SUBMITTER: Velasquez STR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12061020 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature