Reversible photo-controlled release of bovine serum albumin by azobenzene-containing cellulose nanofibrils-based hydrogel

Abstract

Development of biomass-based and some other sustainable biomedical materials is a key subject and effective approach to biomass high-value utilization. In this work, we used cellulose resources to develop a photoresponse hydrogel (PR-gel) by integrating 4arm-PEG and azobenzene into cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). This novel PR-gel exhibited good mechanical strength (storage modulus over 10 3 Pa), structure stability, reversible recoverability between sustained step strain of 1% and 1000%, and excellent biocompatibility. Under UV irradiation (λ = 365 nm, 10 mW/cm 2 , 10 min), the azobenzene cross-linker in PR-gel as photoswitch can cause the trans-cis isomerism and a softening effect of the hydrogel, thus realized the photo-controlled release of bovine serum albumin (BSA) (5-fold higher release rate under UV light irradiation). This work provided a new approach to design cellulose-based photoresponsive hydrogels. It is also can expand the application of cellulose-based hydrogels and some other sustainable materials in the biomedical field.

Gel scaffolds and emerging applications in biomedicine

“…5a). 23 The formation of azobenzenecontaining SCJNPs (11) occurred through the intrachain photocrosslinking of linear PPEGMA-b-P(MAAz-co-MAStb) BCP precursors. The SCJNPs showed LC properties, as conrmed via DSC and POM studies.…”

Ionic Flexible Sensors: Mechanisms, Materials, Structures, and Applications

“…In addition to ionic fibers, recently researchers have also studied the preparation process of directly generating microporous structures inside the ionic gel membrane, such as foams, [243] sponges, [244] paper fibers, [36,245] and fabrics. [246] Pan et al prepared an IFS with an internal microstructure through a multiphase reaction.…”

Advances in Application of Azobenzene as a Trigger in Biomedicine: Molecular Design and Spontaneous Assembly

“…Azobenzene can realize its function in many forms in the field of controlled drug release. Drugs can be encapsulated in hydrogels made of hyaluronic acid, [ 227 ] cellulose nanofiber hydrogel, [ 228 ] and poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel glue. [ 174 ] Among them, poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel has high biocompatibility, lack of immunogenicity and resistance to protein adsorption.…”