Tuning hydrogel properties and function using substituent effects.

The physical properties and function of hydrogels are shown to depend on the substituents present in three novel 1,3,5-tri-azaadamantane (TAA) cross-linkers. Gel stiffness and degradation rate at varied pHs could be predictably tuned with the cross-linker substituents used to form the gel. Subsequently, protein release from the hydrogel were controlled with chemical structure of the cross-linker.