Nanostructured Surface Functionalization of Polyacrylamide Hydrogels Below the Length Scale of Hydrogel Heterogeneity

Hydrogels are broadly used in applications where polymer materials must interface with biology. The hydrogel network is amorphous, with substantial heterogeneity on length scales up to hundreds of nanometers, in some cases raising challenges for applications that would benefit from highly structured interactions with biomolecules. Here, we show that it is possible to generate ordered patterns of functional groups on polyacrylamide hydrogel surfaces. We demonstrate that, when linear patterns of amines are transferred to polyacrylamide, they pattern interactions with DNA at the interface, a capability of potential importance for preconcentration in chromatographic applications, as well as for the development of nanostructured hybrid materials and supports for cell culture.

Automated summary

Hydrogels have a wide range of applications in the interface between polymer materials and biology. This study demonstrates the possibility of generating ordered patterns of functional groups on polyacrylamide hydrogel surfaces, which can interact with DNA in a specific pattern. This has potential implications for preconcentration in chromatographic applications, as well as the development of nanostructured materials and cell culture supports.