Novel pH-responsive and antibacterial hydrogels based on reversible nitro-catechol-boronate complexation were synthesized and characterized using nitro-catechol containing statistical copolymer, poly(N,N'-dimethylamino ethyl methacrylate)-co-poly(6-nitro-2-(3,4-dihydroxy-6-nitrophenyl)ethyl methacrylamide) (PDMA-co-PNDHPMA), and cross-linker, 3-nitro-4-phenylboronic acid PEG 3-nitro-4-phenylboronic acid (NPBA-PEG-NPBA). By introducing electron-withdrawing group nitro into phenyl group for both catechol and phenylboronic acid, the pKa for each was significantly decreased and the complexation takes place at physiological pH condition, giving the formation of free-standing hydrogels after mixing polymer and cross-linker solution at certain ratio. Due to the protonation of PDMA segments at neutral condition, the hydrogels prepared thereof possesses antibacterial property, making it potentially useful as an antibacterial hydrogel or device coating.

pH-responsive antibacterial hydrogel formed by nitro-catechol-boronate complexation

244th National Meeting (2012)

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