Promoted hydrogel formation of lignin-containing arabinoxylan aerogel using cellulose nanofibers as a functional biomaterial.

Linn Berglund,Fredrik Forsberg,Kristiina Oksman,Mehdi Jonoobi

doi:10.1039/c8ra08166b

Linn Berglund, Fredrik Forsberg + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1039/c8ra08166b

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Abstract

In this work, three-dimensional (3D) aerogels and hydrogels based on lignin-containing arabinoxylan (AX) and cellulose nanofibers (CNF) were prepared. The effects of the CNF and the crosslinking with citric acid (CA) of various contents (1, 3, 5 wt%) were evaluated. All the aerogels possessed highly porous (above 98%) and lightweight structures. The AX-CNF hydrogel with a CA content of 1 wt% revealed a favorable network structure with respect to the swelling ratio; nanofiber addition resulted in a five-fold increase in the degree of swelling (68 g of water per g). The compressive properties were improved when the higher CA content (5 wt%) was used; when combined with CNF, there was a seven-fold enhancement in the compressive strength. The AX-CNF hydrogels were prepared using a green and straightforward method that utilizes sustainable resources efficiently. Therefore, such natural hydrogels could find application potential, for example in the field of soft tissue engineering.

Highlights

IntroductionCellulose and its nano-derivatives have been extensively utilized to form natural hydrogels.[1] Research has increasingly focused on the use of hemicellulose as a promising, low-cost, biodegradable and biocompatible precursor for hydrogels.[2] Arabinoxylan (AX) is the primary hemicellulose found in annual plants, and is readily available in residues and side-streams in the agricultural industry.[3] AX exhibits antioxidant and antiin ammatory properties because of its ferulic acid content
Amongst polysaccharides, cellulose and its nano-derivatives have been extensively utilized to form natural hydrogels.[1]
The average porosity of the samples is comparable to that of hemicellulose-based gels obtained from spruce galactoglucomannans (GGM) and reinforced with wood nano bers, namely 98.45 Æ 0.23% on average.[8]

Summary

Introduction

Cellulose and its nano-derivatives have been extensively utilized to form natural hydrogels.[1] Research has increasingly focused on the use of hemicellulose as a promising, low-cost, biodegradable and biocompatible precursor for hydrogels.[2] Arabinoxylan (AX) is the primary hemicellulose found in annual plants, and is readily available in residues and side-streams in the agricultural industry.[3] AX exhibits antioxidant and antiin ammatory properties because of its ferulic acid content. It has a vital function in nature, providing rigidity to plant cell walls via the crosslinking of polysaccharides and lignin.[4]. The biocompatibility of natural structures is bene cial with regard to biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering.[6]

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