Simultaneous modulation of chirality and mechanical properties in supramolecular hydrogels by varying alkyl spacer length.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 41134147.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1039/d5sm00907c.
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Abstract
Mimicking the extracellular matrix's (ECM's) integration of chiral and mechanical cues remains challenging in synthetic hydrogels. Here, we demonstrate that alkyl spacer engineering in <i>C</i><sub>2</sub>-symmetric benzene-<i>para</i>-dicarboxamide phenylalanine derivatives enables simultaneous control of supramolecular handedness and mechanics: helical handedness follows spacer odd-even effects, while spacer elongation (<i>n</i> = 2→4) drives a 17-fold elastic modulus enhancement (0.45→7.64 kPa). This dual regulation provides a versatile strategy for designing biomimetic hydrogels.