This master's thesis presents the development of a novel approach for the photocrosslinking of synthetic polypeptides for hydrogel formation. It describes the synthesis of polypeptides via ring-opening polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides of α-amino acids, their functionalization with selected photoresponsive groups, and the application of various photochemical crosslinking reactions. Particular attention is given to the incorporation of alkene, tetrazole, and maleimide moieties, which enable photocycloaddition reactions (e.g., NITEC and thiol-ene reactions). In the experimental part, polypeptides were synthesized, functionalized, and characterized using NMR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Crosslinking was investigated under LED irradiation. The resulting hydrogels were analyzed by IR spectroscopy and photorheometry, and their stability was studied in deep eutectic solvents as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional organic solvents.
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