Solution-Like Water Transport Across Molecular to Macroscopic Length Scales in Crosslinked Poly(Ethylene Glycol Diacrylate) Networks With Tailored Sidechains
Thomas R. Webber, Declan P. Shannon, Leo W. Gordon, Oscar A. Nordness, Joshua D. Moon, Raphaële J. Clément, Benny D. Freeman, Rachel A. Segalman, Craig J. Hawker, Songi Han
J. Polym. Sci. July 2025
Abstract: Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based materials, like PEG-diacrylate (PEGDA), are prized for their hydrophilic, inert properties, and leveraged in hydrogels and as membrane mimics. While network chemistry is often tuned for selective transport and antifouling, fundamental understanding of water dynamics at the network surface and the impact on bulk transport is limited. We utilize Overhauser dynamic nuclear polarization (ODNP) to measure nanoscale water diffusivity near a tethered spin label at the water-polymer surface and compare it to bulk water diffusivity from pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR. Via active ester chemistry, spin labels and varied sidechain chemistries are introduced, modulating network hydrophilicity. Tuning network hydration through crosslinker content and functional groups further impacts water diffusivity. Results show rapid nanoscale water transport at the polymer surface, reflecting network volumetric water content, with further modulation by sidechain functionality. These findings demonstrate PEGDA's utility as a membrane mimic and the critical impact of network chemistry on water transport.
