There exists a need for new organic materials for anti-fouling coatings, carriers for vaccines, composites for additive manufacturing, adhesives, lubricants, and for substrates that mediate the biotic/abiotic interface. Many animals achieve these functions by secreting mucins – high molecular weight (Mw), heavily glycosylated proteins that form mucus hydrogels. Efforts to create synthetic materials that mimic the structure of natural mucuses, particularly their highly glycosylated peptide backbone and on large scales, have been hindered by substantial synthetic challenges. Here, we employed the ring-opening polymerization of glycosylated N-carbohyanhydride (NCA) monomers to prepare the synthetic mucins, and have explored how solvent, catalyst, and other reagents affect the polymerization. In doing so, we have found mild, living polymerization conditions that achieve high molecular weight polymers with narrow polydispersity indices and control over molecular weight. The development of synthetic mucins that reproduce the behaviors of their natural counterparts are attractive for meeting future soft matter needs, including as adhesives that operate in liquids, barrier coatings, biocompatible composites, and cosmetics.

Scalable synthetic mucus

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.