Development of Hydrogels and their Composites for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

A range of pH-sensitive, mechanically stable, physically crosslinked hydrogels newlinewere synthesized through free-radical aqueous copolymerization of monomers AAc and newlineDMAEMA. The as-synthesized PAD hydrogels were investigated using a suite of newlinecharacterizations to unveil their tunable mechanical properties, unique nano-to-micro- scale newlinehierarchical structures, significant compressive strength, high swelling capacity, and low newlinecytotoxicity. Morphological investigations of these PAD hydrogels revealed newlinehydrogel nanosheets (HNS) which, unlike their bulk counterparts, offered insights on the newlineemergence of nanoconfined water locked in HNS, shedding light on the applications newlineprevailing in biological processes engaging inherently flexible interfaces. Confined newlineregions, behaving as nanoslits engender phase transition of water, forming highly polarised newlinerhombic ice. Similar hydrogel, pAcD, was synthesized using the monomers AAc and a close relative of DMAEMA, DEAEMA, following the same protocol. Molecular analysis newlineshowing hydrogen-bonding and strong electrolyte complexation. Bestowed with exceptional hemo-, cyto-, and histocompatibility, we show that at lower concentration GQDs fostered newlineautonomous polymer grafting inculcating a molecular loom which maneuvered the newlineinterplay of polymer chains to sculpt an interlaced topology representing a crystalline newlinemolecular array of long-range ordered Kagome lattice. Higher concentration of GQDs newlinepromoted selective tuning of interfacial properties of BCPs and imparted surface energy newlineincongruity and eventual break in symmetry to develop JNMs. Finally, herein presented newlinesoft materials, endowed with tunable physical properties, pave the way for exceptional newlinepotential as oral, targeted, controlled and sustained drug delivery vehicles while eliminating newlinephobia and pain associated with intravenous therapeutics. Increasing arsenal of biomaterial systems, prospective applications, and growing fundamental understanding, the influence of hydrogels as drug delivery systems is estimated to rise for years to come.