Control superstructure of rigid polyelectrolytes in oppositely charged hydrogels via programmed internal stress

Riku Takahashi, Zi Liang Wu, Md Arifuzzaman, Takayuki Nonoyama, Tasuku Nakajima, Takayuki Kurokawa and Jian Ping Gong ()
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Riku Takahashi: Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University
Zi Liang Wu: Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University
Md Arifuzzaman: Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University
Takayuki Nonoyama: Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University
Tasuku Nakajima: Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University
Takayuki Kurokawa: Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University
Jian Ping Gong: Faculty of Advanced Life Science, Hokkaido University

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Biomacromolecules usually form complex superstructures in natural biotissues, such as different alignments of collagen fibres in articular cartilages, for multifunctionalities. Inspired by nature, there are efforts towards developing multiscale ordered structures in hydrogels (recognized as one of the best candidates of soft biotissues). However, creating complex superstructures in gels are hardly realized because of the absence of effective approaches to control the localized molecular orientation. Here we introduce a method to create various superstructures of rigid polyanions in polycationic hydrogels. The control of localized orientation of rigid molecules, which are sensitive to the internal stress field of the gel, is achieved by tuning the swelling mismatch between masked and unmasked regions of the photolithographic patterned gel. Furthermore, we develop a double network structure to toughen the hydrogels with programmed superstructures, which deform reversibly under large strain. This work presents a promising pathway to develop superstructures in hydrogels and should shed light on designing biomimetic materials with intricate molecular alignments.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5490

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