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Preparation of Chitosan-based Injectable Hydrogels and Its Application in 3D Cell Culture
Published on: September 29, 2017
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Green Minimalistic Approach to Synthesize Chitosan-Based Durable Polymer Hydrogel Materials for Supporting Cell
Justyna Pawlik1, Klaudia Borawska2, Piotr Wieczorek2,3
1Department of Glass Technology and Amorphous Coatings, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30 Mickiewicza Ave., 30-059 Krakow, Poland.
Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 25, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a novel, green chemistry method for creating chitosan hydrogels without crosslinkers, using glycerin to enhance mechanical strength and reduce water absorption for tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Green Chemistry
Background:
- Chitosan hydrogels are widely used in biomedical applications.
- Traditional methods often involve chemical crosslinkers, raising environmental and biocompatibility concerns.
- Developing sustainable and effective hydrogel precursors is crucial for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, crosslinker-free method for preparing chitosan-based hydrogel precursors.
- To investigate the role of glycerin in thermally induced chemical transformations of chitosan.
- To evaluate the impact of this method on hydrogel properties and potential biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a green chemistry approach with five non-toxic reagents, including glycerin.
- Employed thermal annealing to induce chemical transformation of chitosan.
- Characterized hydrogel properties using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements.
- Assessed mechanical properties (tensile strength, water uptake) and hydrophobicity.
Main Results:
- Achieved a crosslinker-free chitosan hydrogel precursor system.
- Glycerin evaporation during thermal annealing induced partial re-acetylation of chitosan, enhancing hydrophobicity (contact angle up to 92°).
- Improved mechanical properties, including a 35% increase in tensile strength and reduced water uptake compared to AMPS-crosslinked systems.
- Optimal glycerin concentration for enhanced properties was found to be 10-20%.
Conclusions:
- The developed method offers a sustainable and efficient route to chitosan hydrogels with superior mechanical and hydrophobic properties.
- The resulting hydrogels demonstrate excellent biocompatibility, with successful mammalian cell colonization.
- These chitosan-based hydrogels are promising candidates for bioimplant and tissue engineering applications.
