Programmable phase transition enables tunable microstructures and micromechanics in thermoresponsive polysaccharide hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: Understanding polymer-surfactant interactions is essential for regulating phase transition and polymer aggregation, enabling the design of functional materials with tailored properties. Here, we introduce programmable dextran-based thermoresponsive polysaccharide condensates that exhibit reversible phase transitions with tunable lower critical solution temperatures. Photo-initiated radical polymerization permits hydrogel crosslinking, harnessing phase separation to generate hydrogels with distinct microstructures and mechanical heterogeneity. We systematically investigate the impact of anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), cationic hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), nonionic Pluronic F-127, and zwitterionic 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) surfacta

SUBMITTER: Bubli SY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12747882 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature