Supramolecular
hydrogels formed by noncovalent bonds are attractive
“smart” materials, which can rapidly respond to external
stimuli. However, only a handful of supramolecular hydrogels is applicable
in tissue engineering, due to the instability and poor mechanical
strength of noncovalent cross-linking hydrogels. Thus, a rigid and
stable supramolecular hydrogel has been developed based on poly(l-glutamic acid) and 2-ureido-4[1H]pyrimidinones
(UPy), and the UPy stacks are noncovalent cross-linking interactions.
The hydrogels show excellent mechanical strength and stability, in
sharp contrast to noncovalent hydrogels cross-linked by UPy dimers
and covalent hydrogels cross-linked by esterification. The hydrogels
also exhibit remoldability, self-healing, and thermoplastic printing
characteristics, which are caused by the reversible supramolecular
property of UPy stacks. Also, the formation of hydrogels dependent
on UPy stacks is further investigated by atomic force microscope,
small-angle X-ray scattering, in situ X-ray diffraction, circular
dichroism, and UV–vis spectroscopies. Finally, the hydrogels
show commendable biocompatibility and degradability, which have high
potential applications in regenerative medicine.
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