While hydrogel mats have several advantages in the context of biomedical applications, their ability to mimic both the mechanics and morphology of native cell environments (especially across multiple length scales) remains challenging. Herein, we demonstrate a two-step process based on sequential electrospinning and thermal wrinkling to create nanocomposite poly (oligoethylene glycol methacrylate) (POEGMA) – cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) hydrogel mats with a multi-scale wrinkled (micro) and fibrous (nano) morphology (Figure 1). This method is robust and highly tunable, enabling independent control of hydrogel film physical properties and morphology via varying the hydrogel composition, conditions of electrospinning (collection time, collector rotation) and conditions of thermal wrinkling (number of deposition cycles, geometrical constraining). This two-step modular process represents a facile method for independently controlling the mechanical properties, wrinkle geometry, and fiber alignment of our hydrogel mats, demonstrating a significant advancement in the field of biomimetic surfaces. Moreover, we identify contributions of both wrinkle- and fiber-alignment on cell elongation and orientation, indicating potential for in vitro cell growth or in vivo tissue engineering applications. The tailorable structures demonstrated within these POEGMA-CNC mats are some of the most complex morphologies demonstrated in hydrogels to-date, and should be translatable to the design of other functional biomaterials for a range of applications. Overall, we envision these highly tunable hydrogels should have a strong impact in applications spanning the biomedical field and beyond, where controllable surface architecture across multiple length scales and increased surface area is highly desirable.

Multi-scale structuring of composite hydrogel mats via sequential electrospinning and thermal wrinkling

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

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