Gamma Irradiation-Assisted Synthesis of Cellulose Nanocrystal-Reinforced Gelatin Hydrogels

Abstract

Herein, we describe the use of gamma irradiation to prepare hydrogels comprising α-cellulose and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-reinforced gelatin in the absence of crosslinking agents. In this study, cellulose was extracted from rice husks by an alkali and bleaching treatment followed by acid hydrolysis to produce CNC. A semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) of hydrogels was developed by the miscibility between gelatin and cellulosic materials. Compared to those prepared from α-cellulose, hydrogels prepared by dispersion of CNCs exhibited remarkably enhanced stiffness and swelling properties, which was ascribed to the uniform distribution of CNCs and their increased crystallinity. Improved pore structure, arrangement, and rigidity of CNC-reinforced gelatin hydrogels, which induced the swelling mechanism resulting in higher and faster water uptake was observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), compared to cellulose-reinforced gelatin hydrogels. Moreover, in vitro drug profiling demonstrated that CNC/gelatin hydrogels exhibit good drug loading/release behavior and are thus suitable for use in drug-delivery applications.

pH-Responsive Gamma-Irradiated Poly(Acrylic Acid)-Cellulose-Nanocrystal-Reinforced Hydrogels

“…The highest swelling degree is obtained by PAA hydrogels reinforced with 4% CNC (or 4% cellulose), followed by pure PAA hydrogels and PAA hydrogels reinforced with 8% CNC (or 8% cellulose). Again, the size of reinforced cellulosic material is the most dominant factor to determine the swelling capability of prepared hydrogels despite different pH environments [ 19 ]. Therefore, the extent of swelling can be controlled by altering the size and amount of filler used (i.e., filler type and % filler).…”

“…However, these hydrogels are not sufficiently stable due to weak interactions that are inappropriate for effective drug-delivery systems [ 17 ]. As an alternative, gamma radiation offers some advantages to induce crosslinking, as it does not require any additional chemical agents, and crosslinking is easily controlled by altering the radiation dose [ 18 , 19 ]. Therefore, this method not only avoids the use of additional chemicals but can also maintain the biocompatibility of the polymer.…”

In-Situ Deposition of Metal Oxides Nanoparticles in Cellulose Derivative and Its Utilization for Wastewater Disinfection

“…Figure 2 A–D illustrates the crystallographic behaviour of the Acell, nNiO/Acell, nCuO/Acell, nFe 3 O 4 /Acell nanocomposite, respectively. According to the previous literature, the crystalline peaks for cellulose were observed around at 2θ of 16 and 22° corresponding to (110) and (200) planes [ 43 ]. The crystallinity of cellulose was changed after amination reaction due to the peak at 2θ of 16° was disappeared then a simple shift of the peak at 22° to nearly 25.8°, this indicates the successful formation of aminated cellulose, as shown in Figure 2 A.…”

Functional Hydrophilic Membrane for Oil–Water Separation Based on Modified Bio-Based Chitosan–Gelatin

“…Genipin has biocompatible crosslinked products with cytotoxicity 10,000 times lower than glutaraldehyde. These findings encouraged us to utilize genipin as a green modifier to produce novel functional membrane applications, a natural product with low cytotoxicity that focuses on environmental problems [ 8 , 15 , 16 ]. In addition, the water-soluble crosslinker 1-ethyl-3-(-3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) is non-toxic; however, achieving uniformity and a low degree of crosslinking are problems that limit the application of this crosslinker [ 17 ].…”