Preparation and characterization of dual-crosslinked gelatin hydrogel via Dopa-Fe3+ complexation and fenton reaction

Abstract

Gelatin hydrogel via Dopa-Fe3+ complexation and Fenton reaction was developed as a dual-crosslinked hydrogel fabrication method for biomedical application. In order to prepare these hydrogels, methacrylated gelatin dopamine (GMD) conjugates were synthesized. The hydrogels were formed rapidly by using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and iron(II) chloride (FeCl2), the acryl moieties at the gelatin conjugate react via Fenton reaction and created Fe3+ ions as a byproduct. These Fe3+ ions were used to form Dopa-Fe3+ complexes. The mechanical strength could be controlled by varying the H2O2 concentration and exhibited 2–3 times higher than that single-crosslinked hydrogels. Furthermore, the swelling ratio and degradation behavior of the hydrogels were controllable depending on the crosslinking density. It was also found that the GMD hydrogels have tissue adhesive ability because of the dopamine content. The developed GMD hydrogels without oxidizing agents under mild conditions can be used as injectable materials in tissue regenerative medicine and various biomedical applications.