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Kinetically Interlocking Multiple‐Units Polymerization of DNA Double Crossover and Its Application in Hydrogel Formation
Author(s) -
Shi Jiezhong,
Zhu Chenyou,
Li Qian,
Li Yujie,
Chen Liangxiao,
Yang Bo,
Xu JiangFei,
Dong Yuanchen,
Mao Chengde,
Liu Dongsheng
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.202100182
Subject(s) - supramolecular chemistry , supramolecular polymers , polymer , monomer , polymerization , self healing hydrogels , dna , materials science , polymer chemistry , self assembly , rigidity (electromagnetism) , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , chemistry , molecule , organic chemistry , composite material , biochemistry , engineering
Abstract A novel kinetically interlocking multiple‐units (KIMU) supramolecular polymerization system with DNA double crossover backbone is designed. The rigidity of DX endows the polymer with high molecular weight and stability. The observed concentration of the formed polymers is insensitive and stable under ultralow monomer concentration owing to the KIMU interactions, in which multiple noncovalent interactions are connected by the phosphodiester bonds. Furthermore, a pH‐responsive DNA supramolecular hydrogel is constructed by introducing a half i ‐motif domain into the DNA monomer. The rigidity of DNA polymer endows the hydrogel with high mechanical strength and low gelation concentration. This study enriches the KIMU strategy and offers a simple but effective way to fabricate long and stable supramolecular polymers by balancing the reversibility and stability. It also shows great potentials to construct next generation of smart materials, such as DNA nanostructures, DNA motors, and DNA hydrogels.