Synthesis of thiol-terminated PEG-functionalized POSS cross-linkers and fabrication of high-strength and hydrolytic degradable hybrid hydrogels in aqueous phase

Injectable and Degradable PEG Hydrogel with Antibacterial Performance for Promoting Wound Healing

“…In the past decade, tissue engineering has attracted great attention as an alternative to traditional tissue regeneration methods, − and great attempts have been made within this field to synthesize and manufacture scaffolds, which can improve tissue regeneration. − Hydrogel is a kind of hydrophilic polymer material with a lightly cross-linked three-dimensional network structure, which is known for absorbing and retaining a large amount of water while maintaining its own structure insoluble in water. , For wound healing, hydrogels can provide a moist environment for the wound site, absorb exudates, and clean up the local environment to accelerate healing without causing toxicity. − Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is one of the most important raw materials for the preparation of hydrogels. , It has the characteristics of non-toxicity, low immunogenicity, and good biocompatibility and can be excreted through the kidneys without accumulation in the body. , In tissue engineering, scaffolds that can be degraded and remodeled as cells that migrate and synthesize a new extracellular matrix are considered to be more conducive to long-term tissue regeneration . In our previous work, we have successfully synthesized a variety of PEG hydrogels and these hydrogels have great potential in tissue engineering scaffolds. − In addition, our previous research work has also proven that the degradation performance of PEG hydrogels can be tuned to meet different needs by changing the ratio of the degradable cross-linker and the non-degradable cross-linker. , In this research, we also introduced hydrolysis degradable ester groups to endow the hydrogel with degradable properties, thereby making it as a degradable wound dressing. In particular, PEG hydrogel (PEG-50%) prepared via Michael-type addition between cross-linking monomer 4-arm-PEG-MAL and the cross-linkers of hydrolysis degradable PEG-diester-dithiol and non-degradable PEG-dithiol with a ratio of 1:1 was chosen as a representative to discuss its biocompatibility, feasibility as a dressing material, and its role in wound healing.…”

Anticalcification Potential of POSS-PEG Hybrid Hydrogel as a Scaffold Material for the Development of Synthetic Heart Valve Leaflets

“…In our previous work, we prepared PEG hydrogels with excellent biocompatibility via the Michael-type addition reaction under physiological conditions. , However, as a tissue engineering scaffold, the mechanical properties of PEG hydrogels did not reach our expectations. Therefore, we introduced POSS nanoparticles into PEG hydrogels to prepare POSS–PEG hybrid hydrogels. − Compared with PEG hydrogels, the POSS–PEG hybrid hydrogels exhibited improved mechanical behavior, as well as degradation and swelling properties. We investigated the effects of various POSS concentrations on the performance of the composite hydrogels and found that with increasing POSS content, the mechanical properties of the hybrid hydrogels gradually increased.…”

Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes (POSS)-Based Hybrid Soft Gels: Molecular Design, Material Advantages, and Emerging Applications

“…Ni et al synthesized octa-mercapto POSS through hydrolytic condensation of 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane, which served as a chain transfer agent and co-crosslinker in the system of NIPAM and BIS, and got thermoresponsive hydrogels via AIBN-initiated FRP at 70 °C with improved swelling and thermal properties . Dong et al modified such POSS molecules with PEGylation and end-capped them with thiol groups again as new macrocrosslinkers . Different from radical-mediated thiol–ene reaction as mentioned earlier, they were copolymerized with maleimide-terminated tetra-arm PEG via triethanolamine (TEA)-catalyzed Michael addition reaction at 37 °C.…”

“…46 Dong et al modified such POSS molecules with PEGylation and end-capped them with thiol groups again as new macrocrosslinkers. 47 Different from radical-mediated thiol−ene reaction as mentioned earlier, they were copolymerized with maleimide-terminated tetra-arm PEG via triethanolamine (TEA)-catalyzed Michael addition reaction at 37 °C. Hybrid hydrogels were fabricated with high mechanical strength and hydrolytic degradability, tunable by the PEG chain length in both components.…”