Abstract
The mechanical holdfast of the mussel, the byssus, is processed at acidic pH yet functions at alkaline pH. Byssi are enriched in Fe3+ and catechol-containing proteins, species with chemical interactions that vary widely over the pH range of byssal processing. Currently, the link between pH, Fe3+-catechol reactions, and mechanical function is poorly understood. Herein, it is described how pH influences the mechanical performance of materials formed by reacting synthetic catechol polymers with Fe 3+. Processing Fe3+-catechol polymer materials through a mussel-mimetic acidic-to-alkaline pH change leads to mechanically tough materials based on a covalent network fortified by sacrificial Fe 3+-catechol coordination bonds. These findings offer the first direct evidence of Fe3+-induced covalent cross-linking of catechol polymers, reveal additional insight into the pH dependence and mechanical role of Fe3+-catechol interactions in mussel byssi, and illustrate the wide range of physical properties accessible in synthetic materials through mimicry of mussel-protein chemistry and processing. Novel bioinspired and tough hydrogels are designed by regulating the pH of the reaction between catechol-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and Fe3+. A covalently cross-linked network is fortified with a series of coordination bonds, which act as sacrificial and reversible interactions to dissipate energy during deformation. These hydrogels represent a novel class of mussel-mimetic biomaterials inspired in both content and processing.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1111-1119 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Advanced Functional Materials |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 6 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- biomimetics
- hydrogels
- polymeric materials
- structure-property relationships
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics
- General Chemistry
- General Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Biomaterials