Compartmentalizing Supramolecular Hydrogels Using Aqueous Multi‐phase Systems

Serhii Mytnyk, Alexandre G.L. Olive, Frank Versluis, Jos M. Poolman, Eduardo Mendes, Rienk Eelkema, Jan H. van Esch*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

32 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A generic method is used for compartmentalization of supramolecular hydrogels by using water-in-water emulsions based on aqueous multi-phase systems (AMPS). By forming the low-molecular-weight hydrogel throughout all phases of all-aqueous emulsions, distinct, micro-compartmentalized materials were created. This structuring approach offers control over the composition of each type of the compartments by directing the partitioning of objects to be encapsulated. Moreover, this method allows for barrier-less, dynamic exchange of even large hydrophilic solutes (MW≈60kDa) between separate aqueous compartments. These features are expected to find use in the fields of, for instance, micro-structured catalysts, templating, and tissue engineering.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)14923-14927
Number of pages5
JournalAngewandte Chemie (International Edition)
Volume56
Issue number47
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • Aqueous systems
  • Colloids
  • Compartmentalization
  • Gels
  • Multi-phase systems

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