Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
04:09
Development and Characterization of Fusidic Acid-Loaded Alginate-Aloe vera Based Hydrogel FilmWound Healing
Published on: December 13, 2024
1.3K
Development of an SA/XLG Composite Hydrogel Film for Customized Facial Mask Applications
Su-Mei Huang1, Xu-Ling Sun2, Chia-Ching Li2
1Department of Health and Nutrition & Chemical Engineering, Army Academy, Taoyuan 320316, Taiwan.
Polymers
|September 13, 2025
Summary
This study enhances sodium alginate (SA) hydrogels with Laponite XLG for flexible, skin-adherent applications. The resulting SA/XLG composite shows improved extensibility and biodegradability, ideal for customized cosmetic and biomedical uses.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Pure sodium alginate (SA) hydrogels exhibit poor extensibility and hydration stability, limiting their use in flexible, skin-adherent applications like facial masks.
- Developing advanced hydrogel formulations is crucial for enhancing performance in cosmetic and biomedical fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve the mechanical properties and hydration stability of sodium alginate (SA) hydrogels.
- To explore the potential of bio-based composite hydrogels for skin-adherent applications.
- To evaluate the performance of SA composites with various functional additives, focusing on SA/XLG.
Main Methods:
- Composite hydrogels were fabricated by blending SA with five additives (xanthan gum, guar gum, HEC, GT-700, Laponite XLG) followed by CaCl2 crosslinking.
- Physicochemical properties were assessed using rotational viscometry, uniaxial tensile testing, ATR-FTIR, swelling ratio analysis, and pH measurement.
- Conformability, hydration retention, and biodegradability were evaluated for promising candidates.
Main Results:
- The SA/XLG composite hydrogel demonstrated significantly enhanced extensibility (14.8% elongation at break vs. 2.5% for neat SA) and shear-thickening behavior.
- SA/XLG showed a mean swelling ratio of 0.24 g/g, complete dissolution within one year, and excellent conformability to 3D surfaces.
- Non-covalent interactions between SA and XLG were confirmed by ATR-FTIR, with good hydration retention and biodegradability.
Conclusions:
- The SA/XLG composite hydrogel offers superior mechanical resilience and environmental responsiveness compared to pure SA.
- Its properties support its use as a sustainable, single-use skin-contact material, with potential for customized cosmetic and biomedical applications via 3D printing.
- While its pH may require buffering for dermatological use, the SA/XLG composite represents a promising advancement in hydrogel technology.
