TY - JOUR A1 - Hong, Seonki A1 - Lee, Hyukjin A1 - Lee, Haeshin T1 - Controlling mechanical properties of bio-inspired hydrogels by modulating nano-scale, inter-polymeric junctions JF - Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology PY - 2014/// VL - 5 SP - 887 EP - 894 SN - 2190-4286 DO - 10.3762/bjnano.5.101 PB - Beilstein-Institut JA - Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. UR - https://doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.5.101 KW - catechols KW - hydrogels KW - poly(ethylene glycol)s KW - quinone tanning N2 - Quinone tanning is a well-characterized biochemical process found in invertebrates, which produce diverse materials from extremely hard tissues to soft water-resistant adhesives. Herein, we report new types of catecholamine PEG derivatives, PEG-NH-catechols that can utilize an expanded spectrum of catecholamine chemistry. The PEGs enable simultaneous participation of amine and catechol in quinone tanning crosslinking. The intermolecular reaction between PEG-NH-catechols forms a dramatic nano-scale junction resulting in enhancement of gelation kinetics and mechanical properties of PEG hydrogels compared to results obtained by using PEGs in the absence of amine groups. Therefore, the study provides new insight into designing new crosslinking chemistry for controlling nano-scale chemical reactions that can broaden unique properties of bulk hydrogels. ER -