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Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Author Spotlight: Improving the Production of Self-Assembling Fibers and Peptide Hydrogels for Superior Biocompatibility
Published on: September 6, 2024
Microfibrillated cellulose enhancement to mechanical and conductive properties of biocompatible hydrogels
Fengcai Lin1, Ruting Zheng1, Jianwen Chen1
1College of Material Engineering, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, No. 63 Xiyuangong Road, Minhou County, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, 350108, China.
Abstract:
A combination of conductive polymer with natural biomass is an ideal alternative to the classical conductive materials. In this study, PPy/SA/TOMFC composite hydrogels were fabricated by incorporation of TEMPO-oxidized microfibrillated cellulose (TOMFC) into the alginate-based matrix along with the in situ polymerization of pyrrole monomer. It was found that the mechanical and conductive properties of the composite hydrogels were associated with the concentration of TOMFC, which facilitated the formation of more compact 3D network structures and the growing of PPy conductive network. The mechanical properties of the synthesized hydrogels were significantly enhanced by incorporation of higher amount of TOMFC. In addition, with the introduction of 5.0 wt% TOMFC, the electrical conductivity of composite hydrogels could be ten times higher than that of PPy/SA hydrogels. Moreover, the obtained PPy/SA/TOMFC hydrogels exhibited tunable swelling properties and good biocompatibility, making them promising candidates for the use as biomaterial.
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