Glykanien

Glykanien is a synthetic carbohydrate-derived polymer proposed as a versatile material in materials science. It is characterized as a crosslinked network formed from glycan-derived monomers linked by glycosidic-type bonds, yielding a porous, mechanically robust solid.

It possesses high thermal stability for an organic polymer, low solubility in water and most organic solvents, and moderate to high mechanical strength. The network structure can be tuned through monomer choice and crosslink density, affecting porosity, mass transport, and dielectric properties. When doped with salts or ionic liquids, glykanien can exhibit notable ionic conductivity.

Glykanien is synthesized by condensation polymerization of glykan-based monomers, often starting from derivatized monosaccharides such as glucose or galactose. Typical routes use acid catalysis or enzymatic glycosylation steps, followed by controlled curing to achieve crosslinking. Processing methods include solvent casting, sol-gel transitions, and extrusion into coatings or membranes.

Potential applications include biocompatible scaffolds for tissue engineering, selective filtration membranes, and solid-state electrolytes for energy storage. It has also been explored as a matrix for drug delivery and as a protective coating for corrosive environments.

Preliminary studies report low cytotoxicity in vitro, though comprehensive toxicology data are limited. The name glykanien derives from the Greek glycan, meaning sugar, combined with the suffix -ien, and was introduced in speculative literature in the 2010s.