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Published on: July 27, 2022
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Biocompatible and mechanically robust nanocomposite hydrogels for potential applications in tissue engineering
Rabia Kouser1, Arti Vashist2, Md Zafaryab3
1Material Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India.
Summary
This study developed novel biocompatible nanocomposite hydrogels using multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) within a chitosan matrix. These enhanced hydrogels exhibit superior mechanical strength, swelling capacity, and biodegradability, showing promise for tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Nanocomposite hydrogels combine polymer matrices with nanofillers for enhanced properties.
- Chitosan-based hydrogels are widely explored due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability.
- Carbon nanotubes offer unique electrical and mechanical properties when incorporated into polymer matrices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize biocompatible nanocomposite hydrogels using multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) dispersed in a chitosan (CH)-Acrylonitrile (AN) matrix.
- To investigate the structural, mechanical, swelling, biodegradability, and biocompatibility properties of these novel hydrogels.
- To explore the potential applications of these MWCNT-enhanced hydrogel films in tissue engineering.
Main Methods:
- Solution blending method for synthesizing nanocomposite hydrogels.
- Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for structural characterization.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for visualizing MWCNT dispersion.
- Tensile strength analysis, swelling tests, hydrolytic and soil burial tests for property evaluation.
- Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK-293) cell line for biocompatibility assessment.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of crosslinked hydrogel networks with dendrimer morphology.
- Confirmed uniform dispersion of MWCNTs within the polymer matrix.
- Demonstrated significantly enhanced tensile strength and mechanical properties due to MWCNT incorporation.
- Exhibited high swelling capacity at pH 4 and 7.4, along with good biodegradability.
- Biocompatibility tests confirmed the non-toxic nature of the hydrogel films on HEK-293 cells.
Conclusions:
- The incorporation of MWCNTs into chitosan-based hydrogels significantly enhances their mechanical strength, swelling ability, and film-forming properties.
- These nanocomposite hydrogels display excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility, making them suitable for biological applications.
- The tunable properties through MWCNT concentration variation suggest broad potential for these nanostructure hydrogel films in tissue engineering.
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