화학공학소재연구정보센터
Langmuir, Vol.25, No.4, 2479-2485, 2009
Soft Hydrogels from Nanotubes of Poly(ethylene oxide) -Tetraphenylalanine Conjugates Prepared by Click Chemistry
A new poly(ethylene oxide) -tetraphenylalanine polymer-peptide conjugate has been prepared via a "click" reaction between an alkyne-modified peptide and an azide-terminated PEO oligomer. Self-assembled nanotubes are formed after dialysis of a THF solution of this polymer-peptide conjugate against water. The structure of these nanotubes has been probed by circular dichroism, IR, TEM, and SAXS. From these data, it is apparent that self-assembly involves the formation of antiparallel beta-sheets and pi-pi-stacking. Nanotubes are formed at concentrations between 2 and 10 mg mL(-1). Entanglement between adjacent nanotubes occurs at higher concentrations, resulting in the formation of soft hydrogels. Gel strength increases at higher polymer-peptide conjugate concentration, as expected.