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Mechanically Robust Gelatin– A lginate IPN Hydrogels by a Combination of Enzymatic and Ionic Crosslinking Approaches
Author(s) -
Wen Cai,
Lu Lingling,
Li Xinsong
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201300274
Subject(s) - self healing hydrogels , gelatin , biopolymer , materials science , interpenetrating polymer network , chemical engineering , tissue engineering , ultimate tensile strength , ionic bonding , polymer , adhesion , polymer chemistry , ion , composite material , chemistry , biomedical engineering , biochemistry , organic chemistry , medicine , engineering
In this report, novel biopolymer hydrogels composed of gelatin and alginate with an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) structure were prepared by a combination of enzymatic and ionic crosslinking approaches. The gelation processes of the IPN hydrogels were monitored using rheological techniques. The data confirmed the formation of dual networks: one gelatin network crosslinked by transglutaminase (TG) and another alginate network crosslinked by calcium ions. The results of mechanical testing revealed that the tensile and compressive strength of the hydrogels crosslinked in the presence of both TG and calcium ions were significantly improved. Preliminary studies have also shown that the hydrogels can support cell adhesion and spreading. These mechanically robust biopolymer hydrogels prepared by such biocompatible approaches are promising for the development of tissue engineering scaffolds.