Dual-crosslinked hydrogels with metal coordination from novel co-polyaspartamide containing 1,2-dihydroxy and imidazole pendant groups

摘要

Herein, a series of new polyaspartamide derivatives, PolyAspAm(API/APD)s, is prepared from polysuccinimide, which is the thermal polycondensation product of aspartic acid, via successive ring-opening using 1-(3-aminopropyl)imidazole (API) and 3-amino-1,2-propanediol (APD). Metal-coordinated hydrogels are generated by adding divalent metal ions (Cu2+, Zn2+) to the aqueous polymer solution. The resulting gels can adhere strongly to various substrates. Further, novel dual-crosslinked hydrogels are prepared, where the first network is generated via acetal formation between the massive 1,2-hydroxyl groups of the polymer and glutaldehyde as the crosslinker. Subsequent immersion of the product gel in various metal ion-containing solutions forms a second network via metal coordination, thereby affording mechanically robust hydrogels. Multiple metal-coordination interactions are expected to occur between the imidazole functional groups and metal cations. The mechanical properties of resulting gel vary depending on the metallic species. These novel kinds of hydrogels are expected to find biomedical applications as adhesives and antibacterial soft matter.