Gelatin-Oxidized Nanocellulose Hydrogels Suitable for Extrusion-Based 3D Bioprinting

Abstract

3D bioprinting is an emerging research field developed by the deep cross-fertilization of 3D printing technology with multiple disciplines such as mechanics, materials, and biomedicine. Extrusion 3D bioprinting, the most widely used 3D bioprinting technology, can print biomaterials with different viscosities and has a wide range of material applicability. In this study, we prepared a composite hydrogel with gelatin-oxidized nanocellulose as the matrix and glycerol as a multifunctional co-solvent, and the optimal composition of the hydrogel was determined by material characterization. The microstructure of the hydrogel was visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and it can be seen that the composite hydrogel material has a three-dimensional porous network structure with microporous pore sizes ranging from 200–300 µm. The infrared spectra also showed that the addition of glycerol did not interact with gelatin-oxidized nanocellulose while improving the hydrogel properties. Meanwhile, the composite hydrogel has obvious shear-thinning properties and good mechanical properties, which are suitable for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting, and the printed area is clear and structurally stable. A series of results indicate that the hydrogel is suitable for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting with good pore structure, mechanical properties, and printable performance. This gelatin-oxidized nanocellulose hydrogel provides a new idea and material for 3D bioprinting and expands the potential uses of the material.