Engineering tough, highly compressible, biodegradable hydrogels by tuning the network architecture

Abstract

By precisely tuning the network architecture, tough, highly compressible hydrogels were engineered. The hydrogels were made by interconnecting high-functionality hydrophobic domains through linear tri-block chains, consisting of soft hydrophilic middle blocks, flanked with flexible hydrophobic blocks. In showing their applicability, the efficient encapsulation and prolonged release of hydrophobic drugs were achieved.