Development of Scalable Elastic Gelatin Hydrogel Films Crosslinked with Waterborne Polyurethane for Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Strain Recovery

Exploiting novel crosslinking chemistry, this study pioneers the use of waterborne polyurethane (WPU) to chemically crosslink porcine-derived gelatin, producing enhanced gelatin hydrogel films through a solvent-casting method. Our innovative approach harnesses the reactive isocyanate groups of WPU,...

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Main Authors: Soon Mo Choi, Eun Joo Shin, Sun Mi Zo, Madhusudana Rao Kummara, Chul Min Kim, Anuj Kumar, Han Jo Bae, Ankur Sood, Sung Soo Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Gels
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/1/49
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author Soon Mo Choi
Eun Joo Shin
Sun Mi Zo
Madhusudana Rao Kummara
Chul Min Kim
Anuj Kumar
Han Jo Bae
Ankur Sood
Sung Soo Han
author_facet Soon Mo Choi
Eun Joo Shin
Sun Mi Zo
Madhusudana Rao Kummara
Chul Min Kim
Anuj Kumar
Han Jo Bae
Ankur Sood
Sung Soo Han
author_sort Soon Mo Choi
collection DOAJ
description Exploiting novel crosslinking chemistry, this study pioneers the use of waterborne polyurethane (WPU) to chemically crosslink porcine-derived gelatin, producing enhanced gelatin hydrogel films through a solvent-casting method. Our innovative approach harnesses the reactive isocyanate groups of WPU, coupling them effectively with gelatin’s hydroxyl and primary amino groups to form robust urea and urethane linkages within the hydrogel matrix. This method not only preserves the intrinsic elasticity of polyurethane but also significantly augments the films’ tensile strength and strain. Comprehensive characterizations of these hydrogel films and pre-formed hydrogel reaction mixtures were conducted using viscosity measurements, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and the universal testing machine (UTM) for tensile-recovery assessments, alongside evaluations of their biocompatibility. The results demonstrated a reduction in pore size with an increase in WPU concentration from 2 to 6% in the developed hydrogels with a decrease in the equilibrium swelling ratio from 15% to 9%, respectively. Further, hydrogels with 6% WPU exhibited the highest tensile stress in both a dry and wet state. The gelatin hydrogel formed with 6% WPU blend also demonstrated the growth and proliferation of CCD-986K (fibroblast) and CCD-1102 (keratinocyte) cells for up to 5 days of co-culturing. The results indicate a notable enhancement in the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of gelatin hydrogels upon the introduction of WPU, positioning these films as superior candidates for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering and wound dressing.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2310-2861
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-1e042523810843aa89ca8e5880b016372025-01-24T13:33:54ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-01-011114910.3390/gels11010049Development of Scalable Elastic Gelatin Hydrogel Films Crosslinked with Waterborne Polyurethane for Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Strain RecoverySoon Mo Choi0Eun Joo Shin1Sun Mi Zo2Madhusudana Rao Kummara3Chul Min Kim4Anuj Kumar5Han Jo Bae6Ankur Sood7Sung Soo Han8Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of KoreaResearch Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaResearch Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaSchool of Mechatronics Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52725, Republic of KoreaResearch Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Smart Fashion Material, Yeongnam Convergence Technology Campus of Korea Polytechnic, Daegu 41207, Republic of KoreaResearch Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaResearch Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of KoreaExploiting novel crosslinking chemistry, this study pioneers the use of waterborne polyurethane (WPU) to chemically crosslink porcine-derived gelatin, producing enhanced gelatin hydrogel films through a solvent-casting method. Our innovative approach harnesses the reactive isocyanate groups of WPU, coupling them effectively with gelatin’s hydroxyl and primary amino groups to form robust urea and urethane linkages within the hydrogel matrix. This method not only preserves the intrinsic elasticity of polyurethane but also significantly augments the films’ tensile strength and strain. Comprehensive characterizations of these hydrogel films and pre-formed hydrogel reaction mixtures were conducted using viscosity measurements, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and the universal testing machine (UTM) for tensile-recovery assessments, alongside evaluations of their biocompatibility. The results demonstrated a reduction in pore size with an increase in WPU concentration from 2 to 6% in the developed hydrogels with a decrease in the equilibrium swelling ratio from 15% to 9%, respectively. Further, hydrogels with 6% WPU exhibited the highest tensile stress in both a dry and wet state. The gelatin hydrogel formed with 6% WPU blend also demonstrated the growth and proliferation of CCD-986K (fibroblast) and CCD-1102 (keratinocyte) cells for up to 5 days of co-culturing. The results indicate a notable enhancement in the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of gelatin hydrogels upon the introduction of WPU, positioning these films as superior candidates for biomedical applications such as tissue engineering and wound dressing.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/1/49gelatinwaterborne polyurethanecrosslinkinghydrogelureaurethane
spellingShingle Soon Mo Choi
Eun Joo Shin
Sun Mi Zo
Madhusudana Rao Kummara
Chul Min Kim
Anuj Kumar
Han Jo Bae
Ankur Sood
Sung Soo Han
Development of Scalable Elastic Gelatin Hydrogel Films Crosslinked with Waterborne Polyurethane for Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Strain Recovery
Gels
gelatin
waterborne polyurethane
crosslinking
hydrogel
urea
urethane
title Development of Scalable Elastic Gelatin Hydrogel Films Crosslinked with Waterborne Polyurethane for Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Strain Recovery
title_full Development of Scalable Elastic Gelatin Hydrogel Films Crosslinked with Waterborne Polyurethane for Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Strain Recovery
title_fullStr Development of Scalable Elastic Gelatin Hydrogel Films Crosslinked with Waterborne Polyurethane for Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Strain Recovery
title_full_unstemmed Development of Scalable Elastic Gelatin Hydrogel Films Crosslinked with Waterborne Polyurethane for Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Strain Recovery
title_short Development of Scalable Elastic Gelatin Hydrogel Films Crosslinked with Waterborne Polyurethane for Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Strain Recovery
title_sort development of scalable elastic gelatin hydrogel films crosslinked with waterborne polyurethane for enhanced mechanical properties and strain recovery
topic gelatin
waterborne polyurethane
crosslinking
hydrogel
urea
urethane
url https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/1/49
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