Microplasma-assisted hydrogel fabrication: A novel method for gelatin-graphene oxide nano composite hydrogel synthesis for biomedical application

Abstract

Toxicity issues and biocompatibility concerns with traditional classical chemical cross-linking processes prevent them from being universal approaches for hydrogel fabrication for tissue engineering. Physical cross-linking methods are non-toxic and widely used to obtain cross-linked polymers in a tunable manner. Therefore, in the current study, argon micro-plasma was introduced as a neutral energy source for cross-linking in fabrication of the desired gelatin-graphene oxide (gel-GO) nanocomposite hydrogel scaffolds. Argon microplasma was used to treat purified gelatin (8% w/v) containing 0.1∼1 wt% of high-functionality nano-graphene oxide (GO). Optimized plasma conditions (2,500 V and 8.7 mA) for 15 min with a gas flow rate of 100 standard cm3/min was found to be most suitable for producing the gel-GO nanocomposite hydrogels. The developed hydrogel was characterized by the degree of cross-linking, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, confocal microscopy, swelling behavior, contact angle measurement, and rheology. The cell viability was examined by an MTT assay and a live/dead assay. The pore size of the hydrogel was found to be 287 ± 27 µm with a contact angle of 78° ± 3.7°. Rheological data revealed improved storage as well as a loss modulus of up to 50% with tunable viscoelasticity, gel strength, and mechanical properties at 37 °C temperature in the microplasma-treated groups. The swelling behavior demonstrated a better water-holding capacity of the gel-GO hydrogels for cell growth and proliferation. Results of the MTT assay, microscopy, and live/dead assay exhibited better cell viability at 1% (w/w) of high-functionality GO in gelatin. The highlight of the present study is the first successful attempt of microplasma-assisted gelatin-GO nano composite hydrogel fabrication that offers great promise and optimism for further biomedical tissue engineering applications.

Smart Hydrogels in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

“…For example, for higher biocompatibility, functional groups (e.g., Arg-Gly-Asp peptide) were introduced onto the surface of nanostructured scaffolds using chemical modification methods (e.g., plasma exposure) [33]. In another study, to reduce the toxicity caused by classical chemical cross-linking processes, argon micro-plasma was introduced as a neutral energy source for cross-linking in the fabrication of desired gelatin-graphene oxide (gel-GO) nanocomposite hydrogel scaffolds [34].…”

A simple one-pot fabrication of silver loaded semi-interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels with self-healing and bactericidal abilities

“…3b), the bands corresponded to stretching vibration of amide I (n C]O), d N-H of amide II and amide III were found at 1653 cm À1 , 1540 cm À1 , and 1239 cm À1 , respectively, in agreement with previous report. 15,16 Moreover, the absorption peak at $3300 cm À1 was assigned to n N-H. Compared to AA, all spectrum of the hydrogels (Fig.…”

Perspectives in the design and application of composites based on graphene derivatives and bio‐based polymers

“…Derived from collagen, which is taken from animal body parts, gelatin has attracted wide attention as a critical type of functional agent and biocompatible matrix for GO. One of the most challenging clinical problems is the development of a biocompatible 175 designed a gelatin-GO nanocomposite hydrogel with good water-retaining capacity, which is ideal for cell growth and proliferation when applied in tissue engineering. By introducing polyethylene glycol diacrylate to the gelatin/GO system, Rahimi et al 176 developed a hybrid hydrogel nanomaterial.…”