A Versatile Crosslinking Strategy on Facile Fabrication of Fluorescent Hydrogels via o‐Phthalaldehyde Ternary Condensation

Abstract

Rapid gelation | Polymerization | Fluorescence | Gels | AldehydesIt is of great significance to develop rapid crosslinking strategies to enrich the functions of hydrogels and simplify the preparation process of hydrogels. Herein, we applied the ternary condensation reaction of o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) with thiol and amino moieties to construct hydrogel networks with fast gelation rate, excellent mechanical strength, and favorable stability. The obtained hydrogels exhibited rapid gelation transition even at a low solid content. The ternary condensation was traced in the gelation process and demonstrated as a pseudo-first-order reaction irrespective of the gelation threshold. Interestingly, the crosslinking sites of these hydrogels were constructed with isoindole rings, endowing the materials with fluorescent functions without an extra chemical grafting process. The OPA ternary condensation reaction was a simple and universal strategy towards fabrication of natural or synthetic polymer gels from polysaccharides, proteins, and synthetic polymers, which is expected to have potential biomedical applications.

Nitric Oxide‐Releasing Poly(L‐glutamic acid) Hybrid Hydrogels for Accelerating Diabetic Wound Healing†

“…[ 2‐3,5,17‐18 ] Despite the progresses on functional hydrogels, constructing biocompatible and easy‐to‐use hydrogels with high performance prohealing ability is still needed for potential clinical applications. [ 19‐21 ]…”

Recent Advance in Polymer Coatings Combating Bacterial Adhesion and Biofilm Formation†

“…Generally, hydrophilic polymers containing large numbers of ether bonds, hydroxyl, or ionic groups can be readily used as antifouling coatings. [ 59‐60 ] They are able to form a highly hydrated layer on material surfaces by hydrogen bonding interactions with surrounding water molecules. The hydrated layer works as a physical and thermodynamic barrier against bacterial adhesion.…”

Transient Polymer Hydrogels Based on Dynamic Covalent Borate Ester Bonds

“…[ 7‐9 ] In most cases, the prepared hydrogels are in thermodynamically stable states. [ 10‐11 ] Nevertheless, biological systems and their structures in nature, are thermodynamically unstable and exist in nonequilibrium states. [ 12‐14 ] For instance, the cytoskeletal networks and mitotic spindles consume energy through irreversible processes to maintain their structures and unique functions.…”