Supramacromolecular injectable hydrogels by crystallization-driven self-assembly of carbohydrate-conjugated poly(2-isopropyloxazoline)s for biomedical applications

Abstract

An approach for the preparation of self-healing and injectable hydrogels based on the crystallization-driven self-assembly of carbohydrate-conjugated poly(2-isopropyloxazoline)s is reported. Hydrogelation does not require any organic solvents, as the polymers dissolve in water below their lower critical solution temperatures. The transplanted hydrogels cause no significant foreign-body response. Considering the simplicity of the method and the biocompatibility of the resulting injectable hydrogels, crystallization-driven hydrogelation of poly(oxazoline)-based polymers may potentially be used in a wide range of biomedical applications.