Cellulose nanomaterials are ideally suited for biomedical applications because of their unique chemical and physical properties. Cellulose nanomaterials are biologically benign hydrogels (some gels exhibit &gt;99% water content) with uniquely tunable surface chemistry. The simple addition of protein and polymer ligands can result in new nanocomposites with both high-strength and benign bioactivity, a rare characteristic of biomaterials. To assemble these nanocomposites, we exploit the regular availability of hydroxyl groups at the surface of the cellulose nanocrystal or nanofiber. The moieties are deal for common substitution reactions that generate cellulose ethers and esters, which are in turn converted to alkyne, azide, and thiol moieties with primary reactivity at the C-6 hydroxyl group. Using these new “chemical handles,” we use both copper catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition and photo-initiated thiol-based click chemistries to attach poly(ethylene glycol) and gelatin ligands. By utilizing attaching these moieties via click chemistry, a library of nanocomposite biomaterials have been rapidly and easily generated which display high-strength and high cell adhesion. Continued efforts are characterizing the utility of these nanocomposites as a toolbox of easily modified scaffolds for directing tissue growth.

Utilizing click chemistry to assemble nanocellulose, polymers and proteins into bioactive nanocomposites

251st National Meeting (2016)

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