Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026
Synthesis of Strong Adhesive Hydrogel, Gelatin O-Nitrosobenzaldehyde
Published on: November 11, 2022
Self-Healing and Thermoresponsive Dual-Cross-Linked Alginate Hydrogels Based on Supramolecular Inclusion Complexes
Tianxin Miao1, Spencer L Fenn1, Patrick N Charron1
1Bioengineering Program, College of Engineering and Mathematical Science, College of Medicine, ‡Mechanical Engineering Program, College of Engineering and Mathematical Science, §Materials Science Program, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, University of Vermont , Burlington, Vermont 05405, United States.
Abstract:
β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD), with a lipophilic inner cavity and hydrophilic outer surface, interacts with a large variety of nonpolar guest molecules to form noncovalent inclusion complexes. Conjugation of β-CD onto biomacromolecules can form physically cross-linked hydrogel networks upon mixing with a guest molecule. Herein, the development and characterization of self-healing, thermoresponsive hydrogels, based on host-guest inclusion complexes between alginate-graft-β-CD and Pluronic F108 (poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(propylene glycol)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)), are described. The mechanics, flow characteristics, and thermal response were contingent on the polymer concentration and the host-guest molar ratio. Transient and reversible physical cross-linking between host and guest polymers governed self-assembly, allowing flow to occur under shear stress and facilitating complete recovery of the material's properties within a few seconds of unloading. The mechanical properties of the dual-cross-linked, multi-stimuli-responsive hydrogels were tuned as high as 30 kPa at body temperature and are advantageous for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and cell transplantation.
