Hybrid Electrostatic-Covalent Hydrogels
ORAL
Abstract
Polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC) hydrogels form when oppositely charged block polyelectrolyte chains spontaneously associate and self-assemble in aqueous media. The promising potential of PEC hydrogels in drug delivery and bioadhesion applications requires the establishment of elaborate fundamental mappings interrelating the hydrogel mesoscale structure, relaxation processes and bulk material properties. In this presentation, we will discuss our investigations on hybrid hydrogels comprising interpenetrating PEC and covalent networks. Minimal influence of incorporation of the covalent network on the equilibrium hierarchical structure of PEC networks will be demonstrated, conserving the gel’s ability to encapsulate biomolecules and other charged cargo. At the same time, we will highlight marked improvements in the shear and the tensile strengths of the PEC hydrogels upon incorporation of the covalent network, even as a minor component, in the hybrid hydrogels. The decoupling of hydrogel structure and rheology, along with improved resistance to salt and controllable swelling, will be argued to further broaden the utility of the PEC hydrogels in diverse biomedical applications.
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Presenters
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Defu Li
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Authors
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Defu Li
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
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Tobias Göckler
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
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Samanvaya Srivastava
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, University of California at Los Angeles, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Chemical Engineering, UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles