Formulation of the Polymeric Double Networks (DNs) for Biomedical Applications with Physicochemical Properties to Resemble a Biological Tissue

• Published in: Sustainable chemistry Vol. 3; no. 2; pp. 248 - 258
• Main Authors: Joshi, Prutha, Uddin Ahmed, Md Shakir, Vig, Komal, Auad, Maria L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01-06-2022
• Subjects: Acids; Aluminum; Biocompatibility; Biodegradability; Biodegradation; Biological properties; Biomedical materials; Calorimetry; Cartilage; Chemical composition; Differential scanning calorimetry; double networks; Ethylene glycol; Extracellular matrix; Fibroblasts; Fourier transforms; Heat; Hydrogels; Infrared spectroscopy; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Networks; photopolymerization; Physical properties; Physicochemical properties; Polyethylene glycol; Polymers; Polysaccharides; Rheological properties; Saccharides; Scaffolds; Scanning electron microscopy; Software; Swelling ratio; Synergistic effect; Thermodynamic properties; Tissue engineering; United States > US
• ISSN: 2673-4079; 2673-4079
• DOI: 10.3390/suschem3020016

Single-network hydrogels can have an internal porous structure and biocompatibility, but have lower mechanical properties. Combining these properties with another biocompatible and mechanically strong network can help in mimicking the extracellular matrix of native tissues to make them suitable for tissue scaffolds with desired performance. In the current objective, we combine the properties of poly (ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) macromer and polysaccharides as the two components in double networks (DN) for synergistic effects of both components resulting in the interpenetrating polymeric network for making it functional for replacement of injured tissues. The hydrogels were characterized by physical properties like swelling ratio, mechanical properties like tensile and compressive modulus, and rheological behavior. The chemical composition was studied using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the thermal behavior using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments. Biodegradability and mechanical strength both are gained using double networks (DN), thus making it resemble more like living tissues. DN hydrogels were tested for cell compatibility for possible application in tissue engineering. Furthermore, these properties may allow their application as tissue-engineered scaffolds.