Structural and Mechanical Analyses of Hydrogel Systems Modified by Lecithin Nanodomains

abstract

English

Design of the hydrogels with the tunable properties capable to imitate native extracellular matrix (ECM) is widely discussed topic in recent years. With respect to faithful imitation of ECM, this proposed study mostly utilizes biocompatible and biodegradable materials with ability to form crosslinked 3D networks (hydrogels) with further potential use as barrier materials, drug carrier in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, etc. The inner structure (related to viscoelastic and transport properties) of the basic 3D matrix material were modified by phospholipid lecithin, which in water-based solutions forms organized nanodomain structures and consequently affects the final structural properties of the prepared hydrogels. These structural modifications then consequently lead to distinct mechanical properties. Hydrogel systems, physically, chemically, and ionically crosslinked, were subjected to the structural characterization in the dried form of xerogel using direct visualization technique (scanning electron microscopy) and in swollen form of hydrogels by further evaluation of the viscoelastic properties using rheology. Complex viscoelastic characterization consisted in the comparison of strain sweep and frequency sweep tests of the prepared hydrogels and rehydrated hydrogels prepared by swelling of xerogels. Appropriate amount of lecithin, the type of material chosen for the hydrogel preparation, the state of the gel before and after drying and rehydration were discussed as well.

hydrogel, lecithin, rheology, scanning electron microscopy, extracellular matrix

HEGER, R.; KADLEC, M.; TRUDIČOVÁ, M.; ZINKOVSKA, N.; SMILEK, J.

20. 10. 2021

Tanger Ltd.

Ostrava, CZ

978-80-88365-00-6

Nanocon 2021 - Abstracts

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