Design and Characterization of Self-Assembling Peptide (SAP)–Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Multiblock Copolymers (MBCP) Thin Films

IF 5.9 2区化学 Q1 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Biomacromolecules Pub Date : 2026-09-14 Epub Date: 2026-08-12 DOI:10.1021/acs.biomac.6c01145

Nastaran Zoghi, Lu Shin Wong, Mohammed Jamali, Lee A. Fielding, Aline F. Miller, Alberto Saiani

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Abstract

Self-assembling peptides (SAPs) provide a versatile, biocompatible platform for soft biomaterials, but their application in mechanically robust, processable polymers remains limited. We report a peptide–polyethylene glycol (PEG) multiblock copolymer (MBCP) using the amphipathic β-sheet-forming SAP K(FEFK)₂K as a physical cross-linker. Synthesized via copper-free strain-promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC), the MBCP was solution-cast from water into free-standing films whose properties were governed by the peptide’s ability to form stable β-sheet fibers and aggregates. Films were tough and plastic at room temperature, but elastomeric above PEG’s melting point (>60 °C). At high temperature, a micro- and nano-scale phase-separated morphology emerged, with peptide fiber-rich domains embedded in a soft, amorphous PEG matrix. At room temperature, only microphase separation persisted, while PEG crystallization produced a semicrystalline matrix in which peptide fibers restricted large crystal growth and were likely segregated at crystallite interfaces. Extensive mechanical testing revealed resilient films with shape-recovery behavior.

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自组装肽(SAP) -聚乙二醇（PEG）多嵌段共聚物（MBCP）薄膜的设计与表征

自组装肽（sap）为软生物材料提供了一个通用的、生物相容的平台，但它们在机械坚固的、可加工的聚合物中的应用仍然有限。我们报道了一种肽-聚乙二醇（PEG）多嵌段共聚物（MBCP），该共聚物使用两亲性β-成片物sap K(FEFK)2K作为物理交联剂。合成了无铜的叠氮化物-炔烃环加成（SPAAC），将MBCP从水中溶液浇铸成独立薄膜，其性能由肽形成稳定的β片纤维和聚集体的能力决定。薄膜在室温下具有韧性和可塑性，但在PEG熔点（>60°C）以上具有弹性。在高温下，微纳米级相分离形态出现，富含肽纤维的结构域嵌入柔软的无定形PEG基质中。在室温下，只有微相分离持续存在，而聚乙二醇结晶产生半结晶基质，肽纤维限制了大晶体的生长，并可能在晶体界面上偏析。大量的机械测试表明，弹性薄膜具有形状恢复性能。

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来源期刊

Biomacromolecules 化学-高分子科学

CiteScore

10.60

自引率

4.80%

发文量

417

审稿时长

1.6 months

期刊介绍： Biomacromolecules is a leading forum for the dissemination of cutting-edge research at the interface of polymer science and biology. Submissions to Biomacromolecules should contain strong elements of innovation in terms of macromolecular design, synthesis and characterization, or in the application of polymer materials to biology and medicine. Topics covered by Biomacromolecules include, but are not exclusively limited to: sustainable polymers, polymers based on natural and renewable resources, degradable polymers, polymer conjugates, polymeric drugs, polymers in biocatalysis, biomacromolecular assembly, biomimetic polymers, polymer-biomineral hybrids, biomimetic-polymer processing, polymer recycling, bioactive polymer surfaces, original polymer design for biomedical applications such as immunotherapy, drug delivery, gene delivery, antimicrobial applications, diagnostic imaging and biosensing, polymers in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, polymeric scaffolds and hydrogels for cell culture and delivery.