Polyproline II (PPII) peptides have been widely studied for their antifouling properties, molecular rigidity, and unique surface properties, but their potential as a hydrogel biomaterial remains unexplored. Based on our previous work, there is potential to modulate the properties of 2D and 3D biomaterials using PPII secondary structure as a lever. This study explores PPII-based hydrogels for their structural and mechanical properties. Circular dichroism (CD) was utilized to examine the secondary structure of the PPII peptides in solution. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to analyzed hydrogel peptide structure. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel were measured using a rheometer, focusing on strain sweep and angular frequency measurements. Scanning electron mictoscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the surface morphology and pores of the hydrogel. Additionally, a live-dead assay was conducted with cells to evaluate cytocompatibility. This research establishes PPII as a promising candidate for hydrogel-based biomaterials, providing insights into its potential applications in antifouling and biomedical applications.
