Preparation and Characterization of Acid Resistant Double Cross-Linked Hydrogel for Potential Biomedical Applications

A novel biocompatible polysaccharide-based hydrogel with double cross-linked network (DN) was designed and developed by combining dynamic imine bond and Diels-Alder (DA) click reaction. Our results showed that the dynamic covalent imine bond led to the hydrogel's self-healing property, while the DA reaction gave the superior thermodynamic property and acid resistance to the hydrogel. At the same time, the double cross-linked structure improved the mechanical properties of hydrogels. Moreover, the DN hydrogel had good biocompatibility, as confirmed by three-dimensional cell encapsulation. On the basis of these excellent properties, the present prepared hydrogel holds great potential in the field of biomaterials.