Development Of Nanocomposite Hydrogels Research Articles

Gelatin Methacryloyl (GelMA) Nanocomposite Hydrogels Embedding Bioactive Naringin Liposomes.

The development of nanocomposite hydrogels that take advantage of hierarchic building blocks is gaining increased attention due to their added functionality and numerous biomedical applications. Gathering on the unique properties of these platforms, herein we report the synthesis of bioactive nanocomposite hydrogels comprising naringin-loaded salmon-derived lecithin nanosized liposomal building blocks and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) macro-sized hydrogels for their embedding. This platform takes advantage of liposomes’ significant drug loading capacity and their role in hydrogel network reinforcement, as well as of the injectability and light-mediated crosslinking of bioderived gelatin-based biomaterials. First, the physicochemical properties, as well as the encapsulation efficiency, release profile, and cytotoxicity of naringin-loaded nanoliposomes (LipoN) were characterized. Then, the effect of embedding LipoN in the GelMA matrix were characterized by studying the release behavior, swelling ratio, and hydrophilic character, as well as the rheological and mechanical properties of GelMA and GelMA-LipoN functionalized hydrogels. Finally, the dispersion of nanoliposomes encapsulating a model fluorescent probe in the GelMA matrix was visualized. The formulation of naringin-loaded liposomes via an optimized procedure yielded nanosized (114 nm) negatively charged particles with a high encapsulation efficiency (~99%). Naringin-loaded nanoliposomes administration to human adipose-derived stem cells confirmed their suitable cytocompatibility. Moreover, in addition to significantly extending the release of naringin from the hydrogel, the nanoliposomes inclusion in the GelMA matrix significantly increased its elastic and compressive moduli and decreased its swelling ratio, while showing an excellent dispersion in the hydrogel network. Overall, salmon-derived nanoliposomes enabled the inclusion and controlled release of pro-osteogenic bioactive molecules, as well as improved the hydrogel matrix properties, which suggests that these soft nanoparticles can play an important role in bioengineering bioactive nanocomposites for bone tissue engineering in the foreseeable future.

Nanocomposite hydrogels based on carbon dots and polymers

Nanocomposite hydrogels based on carbon dots (CDs) and polymers have emerged as new materials with integrated properties of individual components, leading to their important applications in the field of soft nanomaterials. This perspective highlights recent advances in the development of nanocomposite hydrogels from CDs and polymers. We review the preparation methods of nanocomposite hydrogels based on CDs and polymers, and emerging applications of these nanocomposite hydrogels such as environmental remediation, energy storage, sensing, drug delivery and bioimaging. We conclude with the discussion of new research directions in the development of new type of nanocomposite hydrogels based on CDs and polymers.

Sonochemically Synthesized Lignin Nanoparticles and its Application in the Development of Nanocomposite Hydrogel

Abstract The hydrophilic gels or hydrogels are chemically or physically crosslinked polymeric network which are capable in absorbing a large quantity of water in their three-dimensional polymeric network. In contrast with synthetic polymer hydrogels, biopolymeric hydrogels are biocompatible, flexible, biodegradable, and non-toxic, hence they have received a great attention in numerous biomedical, engineering, and industrial applications. Conventionally developed synthetic polymer [i.e., polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)] and biopolymer [i.e., chitosan (CS)] hydrogels have insignificant physical as well as chemical properties, which can be overcome by the development of these hydrogels in association with nanoparticles. The present study focuses on the synthesis of lignin nanoparticles derived from natural resources by using ultrasound and its application in the development of CS–PVA hydrogel. The nanoparticles were found to be in the range of 10–50 nm. Physical crosslinking method has been adopted for the development of hydrogel. Further to examine the thermal stability of hydrogel TGA was performed. Post addition of nanoparticles in CS–PVA hydrogel manifested a significant increase in the thermal stability. Considering numerous advantages of the proposed nanocomposite hydrogel, this could be possibly used in drug delivery, food packaging and wound dressing