Engineering Supramolecular Hydrogen Bonding Interactions into Dynamic Covalent Polymers To Obtain Double Dynamic Biomaterials

Inspired by dynamic systems in nature, we can introduce dynamics into synthetic biomaterials through dynamic covalent bonds or supramolecular interactions. Combining both types of dynamic interactions may allow for advanced and innovative networks with multiple levels of dynamicity. Here we present two types of solid materials consisting of either dynamic covalent imine bonds or a combination of these dynamic covalent bonds with supramolecular hydrogen bonding ureido-pyrimidinone (UPy) units to obtain double dynamic materials. We showed the facile synthesis and formulation of both materials at room temperature. The thermal and physical properties of each material are highly tunable by altering the ratio and type of cross-linker. Interestingly, we showed that minimal amounts of UPy units result in a drastic increase in material mechanics. Furthermore, we show that both types of materials are suitable as biomaterials through functionalization with cell-adhesive peptides, through either a dynamic covalent imine bond or a supramolecular UPy moiety.