Synthesis and Comprehensive Characterization of Amino Acid-Derived Vinyl Monomer Gels

In this study, we report an easy synthetic pathway to vinyl monomers derivatized with amino acids. Tyrosine-, phenylalanine-, tryptophan-, leucine-, and methionine-based monomers were synthesized, and their polymerization in the presence of cross-linking agents led to the formation of amino acid-based gels. The nature of cross-linker, the time of polymerization, and the type of initiation (photopolymerization or thermopolymerization) were investigated. The obtained gels were characterized using a combination of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rheology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. These novel amino acid-based gels could find applications in various areas such as drug delivery, biosensing, and biotechnology.