Light-induced remodeling of physically crosslinked hydrogels using near-IR wavelengths

Abstract

Light-induced disintegration of physically crosslinked hydrogel networks has been demonstrated by selective photodeprotection of self-assembled triblock copolymers. Physical crosslinks can be disrupted through light-induced uncaging of coumarin-based blocks using single- and two-photon absorption mechanisms. Photodegradable hydrogels exhibit promising applications as biomedical materials that can be manipulated using light at tissue-transparent wavelengths.