Abstract
Hydrogels, and not only natural polysaccharide hydrogels, are substances capable of absorbing large amounts of water and physiological fluids. In this study, we set out to optimize the process for preparing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels. Subsequently, we doped PVA foils with cellulose powder, with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or with gold nanoparticles in PEG colloid solutions (Au). The foils were then modified in a plasma discharge to improve their biocompatibility. The properties of PVA foils were studied by various analytical methods. The use of a suitable dopant can significantly affect the surface wettability, the roughness, the morphology and the mechanical properties of the material. Plasma treatment of PVA leads to ultraviolet light-induced crosslinking and decreasing water absorption. At the same time, this treatment significantly improves the cytocompatibility of the polymer, which is manifested by enhanced growth of human adipose-derived stem cells. This positive effect on the cell behavior was most pronounced on PVA foils doped with PEG or with Au. This modification of PVA therefore seems to be most suitable for the use of this polymer as a cell carrier for tissue engineering, wound healing and other regenerative applications.
Highlights
Advances in cellular and molecular biology, chemistry and material engineering have provided much greater opportunities for the clinical use of biomaterials
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) foils were doped with commercially available substances and with Au nanoparticles prepared by sputtering to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) colloid solutions
Prepared PVA and doped PVA foils were modified in an Ar plasma discharge to improve their physicochemical properties, their cytocompatibility and their suitability as a substrate for human adipose-derived stem cell cultivation
Summary
Advances in cellular and molecular biology, chemistry and material engineering have provided much greater opportunities for the clinical use of biomaterials. These technologies still involve the use of common materials such as metals, ceramics and synthetic polymers, but must be complemented by being combined with advanced materials such as biopolymers, nanoparticles or carbon nanotubes [1]. Areas of research and innovative technologies, such as drug delivery systems and imaging methods based on nanotechnology or on organ printing, are based on the use of biomaterials. Hydrogels are three-dimensional hydrophilic polymeric structures with the ability to absorb large amounts of water or biological fluids [5]. The hydrophilic nature of the network is due to the presence
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