Shear-thinning and self-healing nanohybrid alginate-graphene oxide hydrogel based on guest-host assembly

Abstract

The study aims to develop a novel nanohybrid shear-thinning hydrogel with fast gelation, and variable mechanical and biological properties. This nanohybrid hydrogel was developed via self-assembly guest-host interaction between beta-cyclodextrin modified alginate (host macromere, Alg-CD) and adamantine modified graphene oxide (guest macromere, Ad-GO) and subsequent ionic crosslinking process. We found that the rheological and mechanical properties of hydrogels were controlled via macromere concentration and the host: guest macromere ratio, due to the modulation of crosslinking density and network structure. Noticeably, 12(1:2) dualcrosslinked hydrogel (2DC12) significantly improved the strength (1.3-folds) and toughness compared to 10 (1:4) dual-crosslinked hydrogel (4DC10). Furthermore, the hydrogel erosion and cytocompatibility relied on the designed parameters. Remarkably, 2DC12 showed less than 20 weight loss after 20 days of incubation in physiological solution and more than 200 cell survival after five days. In conclusion, the nanohybrid Alg-GO hydrogel could be used as an injectable hydrogel for soft tissue engineering applications. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.