Probing the aggregation behavior of collagen molecules regulated by dibenzaldehyde-terminated-PEG with varying molecular weights in solution.

Rigid and fragile nature of collagen-based materials cross-linked with biocompatible aldehyde-functionalized polysaccharides remains a challenge. Drawing inspiration from the pangolins' protective barrier, we introduce a novel cross-linker with a flexible chain to impart a "rigid-flexible coupled structure" to the collagen-based matrix. Successful integration of dibenzaldehyde-terminated-PEG (DF-PEG) into collagen molecules was confirmed by XRD and FTIR analyses.