{"title":"Predicting the effects of degradation on viscoelastic relaxation time using model transient networks","authors":"Ryunosuke Kobayashi, Mitsuru Naito, Kanjiro Miyata, Takamasa Sakai, Ung-il Chung, Takuya Katashima","doi":"10.1038/s41428-024-00902-z","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"In this study, we utilized tetra-armed polyethylene glycol (Tetra-PEG) slimes, which are model transient networks with well-controlled structures, to predict the effects of long-term degradation on the viscoelastic properties of liquids. Viscoelastic liquids, such as sodium hyaluronate, are frequently used in biomedical applications within the human body. However, precisely controlling the viscoelastic properties of these liquids in the long-term is challenging, as the main chains of the liquids undergo stochastic degradation. To establish a predictable model for studying long-term degradation effects, we employed Tetra-PEG slime, and modifications were performed to introduce specific cleavage sites in areas with connections. The Tetra-PEG slimes were characterized by single relaxation modes, and these modes were independent from the degree of degradation, which was determined by hydrolyzing the cleavage sites. Overall, this work provides a universal design for viscoelastic liquids with precisely-controllable degradation. This study explores the effects of long-term degradation on the viscoelastic properties of viscoelastic liquids using tetra-armed polyethylene glycol (Tetra-PEG) slimes as model material. It aims to enhance control over the viscoelasticity of biomedical materials, like sodium hyaluronate, by introducing specific cleavage sites into the Tetra-PEG slimes to simulate degradation. The study reveals that despite degradation, the slimes maintain a single relaxation mode, offering a method to design viscoelastic liquids with predictable and controllable degradation for biomedical applications.","PeriodicalId":20302,"journal":{"name":"Polymer Journal","volume":"56 7","pages":"685-691"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2024-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00902-z.pdf","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Polymer Journal","FirstCategoryId":"92","ListUrlMain":"https://www.nature.com/articles/s41428-024-00902-z","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"POLYMER SCIENCE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
In this study, we utilized tetra-armed polyethylene glycol (Tetra-PEG) slimes, which are model transient networks with well-controlled structures, to predict the effects of long-term degradation on the viscoelastic properties of liquids. Viscoelastic liquids, such as sodium hyaluronate, are frequently used in biomedical applications within the human body. However, precisely controlling the viscoelastic properties of these liquids in the long-term is challenging, as the main chains of the liquids undergo stochastic degradation. To establish a predictable model for studying long-term degradation effects, we employed Tetra-PEG slime, and modifications were performed to introduce specific cleavage sites in areas with connections. The Tetra-PEG slimes were characterized by single relaxation modes, and these modes were independent from the degree of degradation, which was determined by hydrolyzing the cleavage sites. Overall, this work provides a universal design for viscoelastic liquids with precisely-controllable degradation. This study explores the effects of long-term degradation on the viscoelastic properties of viscoelastic liquids using tetra-armed polyethylene glycol (Tetra-PEG) slimes as model material. It aims to enhance control over the viscoelasticity of biomedical materials, like sodium hyaluronate, by introducing specific cleavage sites into the Tetra-PEG slimes to simulate degradation. The study reveals that despite degradation, the slimes maintain a single relaxation mode, offering a method to design viscoelastic liquids with predictable and controllable degradation for biomedical applications.
期刊介绍:
Polymer Journal promotes research from all aspects of polymer science from anywhere in the world and aims to provide an integrated platform for scientific communication that assists the advancement of polymer science and related fields. The journal publishes Original Articles, Notes, Short Communications and Reviews.
Subject areas and topics of particular interest within the journal''s scope include, but are not limited to, those listed below:
Polymer synthesis and reactions
Polymer structures
Physical properties of polymers
Polymer surface and interfaces
Functional polymers
Supramolecular polymers
Self-assembled materials
Biopolymers and bio-related polymer materials
Polymer engineering.