University of Sydney – Hydrogel−Stable Hybrid Materials for Biomedical Applications Enabled by Surface‐Embedded Radicals

Abstract

Combos of hydrogels and solids provide high stage functionality for units comparable to tissue engineering scaffolds and mushy machines. However, the former bonding between hydrogels and solids hampers functionality. Right here, a versatile approach to originate mechanically sturdy genuine−hydrogel hybrid supplies the remark of surface embedded radicals generated thru plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) of polymeric surfaces is reported. Evidence is equipped that the reactive radicals play a twin aim: inducing surface‐initiated, spontaneous polymerization of hydrogels; and binding the hydrogels to the surfaces. Acrylamide and silk hydrogels are formed and covalently attached thru spontaneous reactions with the radicals on PIII activated polymer surfaces with out spoiled‐linking brokers or initiators. The hydrogel amount will increase with incubation time, monomer concentration, and temperature. Balance assessments expose that 95% of the hydrogel is retained even after 4 months in PBS solution. T‐peel assessments demonstrate that failure occurs at the tape−hydrogel interface and the hydrogel‐PIII‐treated PTFE interfacial adhesion energy is over 300 N m⁻¹. Cell assays demonstrate no adhesion to the as‐synthesized hydrogels; on the exchange hand, hydrogels synthesized with fibronectin allow cell adhesion and spreading. These outcomes demonstrate that polymers functionalized with surface‐embedded radicals provide very perfect genuine platforms for the generation of sturdy genuine−hydrogel hybrid constructions for biomedical capabilities.