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Synthesis and gelation of copolypept(o)ides with random and block structure
Author(s) -
Xiao Yan,
Wang Jianqiang,
Zhang Jun,
Heise Andreas,
Lang Meidong
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
biopolymers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.556
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1097-0282
pISSN - 0006-3525
DOI - 10.1002/bip.23038
Subject(s) - chemistry , copolymer , self healing hydrogels , polymerization , sarcosine , polymer chemistry , polymer , peg ratio , branching (polymer chemistry) , chemical engineering , glycine , amino acid , organic chemistry , biochemistry , finance , engineering , economics
Copolypept(o)ides of polysarcosine (PSar) and poly( N ‐isopropyl‐L‐glutamine) (PIGA) with random and block sequence structures were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of sarcosine N ‐carboxyanhydrides (Sar‐NCA) and γ‐benzyl‐ l ‐glutamate N ‐carboxyanhydrides (BLG‐NCA) and post modification. With different distribution of Sar along the main chain, H‐bonding pattern and secondary structure of polypeptides were turned, as well as aggregation and gelation behavior. Both copolypept(o)ides formed hydrogels above their critical gelation concentrations (CGCs) without thermo‐sensitivity, which was normally reserved for PEG copolypeptides (eg, PEG‐ b ‐PIGA). In particular, a different mechanism from previously reported micellar percolation or fibrillar entanglement was suggested for gelation of the random copolypept(o)ide. Therefore, hydrogels from copolymers of PSar and PIGA represented a new approach to construct easy‐handling, biocompatible, biodegradable and thermo‐stable gels that could potentially be applied in biomedical fields.