ABSTRACT
Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-glycosaminoglycan (GAG) hydrogel networks are established as very versatile biomaterials. Herein, the synthetic gel component of the biohybrid materials is systematically varied by combining different poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazolines) (POx) with heparin applying a Michael-type addition crosslinking scheme: POx of gradated hydrophilicity and temperature-responsiveness provides polymer networks of distinctly different stiffness and swelling. Adjusting the mechanical properties and the GAG concentration of the gels to similar values allows for modulating the release of GAG-binding growth factors (VEGF165 and PDGF-BB) by the choice of the POx and its temperature-dependent conformation. Adsorption of fibronectin, growth of fibroblasts, and bacterial adhesion scale with the hydrophobicity of the gel-incorporated POx. In vitro hemocompatibility tests with freshly drawn human whole blood show advantages of POx-based gels compared to the PEG-based reference materials. Biohybrid POx hydrogels can therefore enable biomedical technologies requiring GAG-based materials with customized and switchable physicochemical characteristics.
Subject(s)
Heparin , Hydrogels , Biocompatible Materials , Glycosaminoglycans , Humans , Polyethylene GlycolsABSTRACT
We investigate the influence of the average molar mass (Mw) of the capping agent poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) on the conductivity of a silver nanowire (AgNW) network. During the polyol process, the chain length of PVP is known to influence the AgNW diameters and lengths. By altering the reaction temperature and time and using PVP of different chain lengths, we synthesized AgNWs with varying diameters, lengths and PVP coverage. The obtained plethora of AgNWs is the basis for conductivity investigations of networks made of AgNWs with a diameter of either 60 nm or 80 nm. The results show a negative influence of long-chain PVP on the conductivity of the subsequent network if 60 nm thick AgNWs are employed. Overall, we obtain well performing AgNW transparent electrodes on glass with RS = 24.4 Ω sq-1 at 85.5%T550nm.
