Gelatin-based quaternary blended hydrogel film strengthened with SiO2 nanoparticles for biomedical applications
摘要
The application of hydrogel films made from biodegradable polymers is snowballing drastically to diminish the usage of nondegradable polymers. Gelatin-based hydrogel films are excellent in terms of biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, it suffers from satisfactory mechanical properties. Strengthening the hydrogel film blended with the other biopolymers and nanoparticles promotes the inimitable behavior required for biomedical applications. The present study developed two kinds of hydrogel films through solvent casting. The first hydrogel film comprises gelatin, chitosan, polyvinyl alcohol, and guar gum, whereas the second film incorporates SiO2 nanoparticles together with the biopolymers. The developed hydrogel films were tested for biocompatibility, swelling and antibacterial ability, mechanical strength, dynamic mechanical properties, frictional behavior, thermal stability, and biodegradation. The results indicated that the tensile strength of the hydrogel film without and with SiO2 was observed as 3.88 MPa and 4.52 MPa, respectively. The storage modulus was 664.93 kPa, and 460.05 kPa was observed at 100 Hz and 0.01 Hz, respectively. Hydrogel film exhibited better antibacterial ability against gram-positive and negative bacteria. Hydrogel film supported the proliferation of the chondrocytes and deposition of the glycosaminoglycans. The enhanced thermal stability was observed with the supplementation of SiO2 nanoparticles, and the coefficient of friction lies within 0.15. The controlled degradation over 8 weeks and low sorbing ability (60–80%) was noticed. These findings suggest that gelatin-based hydrogel films are promising for biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and wound healing.