cm9b04160_si_001.pdf (449.8 kB)
Secondary Structure-Governed Polypeptide Cross-Linked Polymeric Hydrogels
journal contribution
posted on 2019-12-10, 20:36 authored by Chongyi Chen, Jun Lan, Yuanchao Li, Dongran Liang, Xiuquan Ni, Qiao LiuModulation of the secondary structures of peptides gives
rise to
a range of natural peptide-based soft materials with outstanding mechanical
properties. Here, we discuss detailed insights on how the secondary
structure of tailor-made polypeptides governs the mechanical properties
of polymeric hydrogels. To this end, we developed a series of polymeric
hydrogels cross-linked by poly(3-propyl-acrylate-glutamine) with tailorable
secondary structuresα-helices and random coils. Interestingly,
the hydrogels cross-linked by the α-helical cross-linker exhibit
a high tensile strength and toughness because of the cooperative intramolecular
hydrogen bonding along the polypeptide backbone. Furthermore, the
α-helices endow the hydrogels with high resilience and rapid
recovery because of their reversible cooperative hydrogen bonding.
In contrast, the hydrogels cross-linked by the random coil cross-linker
show inferior tensile strength and toughness. Our study establishes
quantitative nanoscale/macroscale structure–property relationships
in polymeric hydrogels and has important implications for the rational
design of soft materials using polypeptides with a specific secondary
structure.