The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Bioadhesives are materials that can adhere to living tissues or biological surfaces, offering utility in a wide range of biomedical applications. Hydrogels are among the most commonly used bioadhesives. To function effectively, it is critical to precisely control the hardness and adhesion properties of the hydrogel. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel must closely match those of surrounding tissues to prevent stress mismatches, while its adhesion properties should be tuned to ensure sufficient attachment for protection, yet remain removable after application to avoid causing unintended damage. To enable the modular design and synthesis of hydrogels with tunable mechanical and bioadhesion properties, we utilize a reactive poly(pentafluorophenyl acrylate) polymer precursor. The hardness of the hydrogel is controlled by varying the density of poly(ethylene glycol) crosslinkers; the adhesiveness of the hydrogel is controlled through the addition of dopamine groups.