Homopolymer self-assembly of poly(propylene sulfone) hydrogels via dynamic noncovalent sulfone-sulfone bonding.

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 spheric

SUBMITTER: Du F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7525563 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature