Self-crosslinked poly-L-ornithine and poly-L-arginine networks: Synthesis,characterization, pH-responsibility,biocompatibility, and AIE-functionality

A pH-responsive hydrogel consists of polypeptides only is a promising biomaterial with the advantages of good biocompatibility and non-toxicity. This work reports the synthesis of poly-L-ornithine(poc) (polyLOpoc) serving as the precursor for hydrogels of poly-L-ornithine (polyOrn) and poly(L-arginine-r-L-ornithine) (poly(Arg-r-Orn)). Their controllable degree of crosslinking, good mechanical properties, good biocompatibility, and pH-responsibility are detailedly investigated. The swelling ratio of polyOrn hydrogel in acidic aqueous solution is 5.7 times higher than that in a basic environment. In the deprotection of phenoxycarbonyl group, polyLOpoc releases amino pendant groups, which attack the remaining poc-protected amino groups to fulfill self-crosslinking without any crosslinking agent. In addition, the pH-responsive behavior of hydrogels is visualized by aggregation-induced emission phenomena with polyOrn and poly(Arg-r-Orn) containing tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)ethene moisture.