Abstract
Nanocomposite hydrogels based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are known to possess remarkable stiffness, electrical, and thermal conductivity. However, they often make use of CNTs as fillers in covalently cross-linked hydrogel networks or involve direct cross-linking between CNTs and polymer chains, limiting processability properties. Herein, nanocomposite hydrogels are developed, in which CNTs are fillers in a physically cross-linked hydrogel. Supramolecular nanocomposites are prepared at various CNT concentrations, ranging from 0.5 to 6 wt%. Incorporation of 3 wt% of CNTs leads to an increase of the material’s toughness by over 80%, and it enhances electrical conductivity by 358%, compared to CNT-free hydrogel. Meanwhile, the nanocomposite hydrogels maintain thixotropy and processability, typical of the parent hydrogel. The study also demonstrates that these materials display remarkable cytocompatibility and support cell growth and proliferation, while preserving their functional activities. These supramolecular nanocomposite hydrogels are therefore promising candidates for biomedical applications, in which both toughness and electrical conductivity are important parameters.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1800173 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Macromolecular Bioscience |
| Volume | 19 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 2019 |
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Keywords
- biocompatibility
- electrical conductivity
- multi-walled carbon nanotubes
- nanocomposite supramolecular hydrogel
- tensile toughness
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Carbon nanotube reinforced supramolecular hydrogels for bioapplications. / Mihajlovic, Marko; Mihajlovic, Milos; Dankers, Patricia Y.W.; Masereeuw, Rosalinde; Sijbesma, Rint P. (Corresponding author).
In: Macromolecular Bioscience, Vol. 19, 1800173, 01.01.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Carbon nanotube reinforced supramolecular hydrogels for bioapplications
AU - Mihajlovic,Marko
AU - Mihajlovic,Milos
AU - Dankers,Patricia Y.W.
AU - Masereeuw,Rosalinde
AU - Sijbesma,Rint P.
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - Nanocomposite hydrogels based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are known to possess remarkable stiffness, electrical, and thermal conductivity. However, they often make use of CNTs as fillers in covalently cross-linked hydrogel networks or involve direct cross-linking between CNTs and polymer chains, limiting processability properties. Herein, nanocomposite hydrogels are developed, in which CNTs are fillers in a physically cross-linked hydrogel. Supramolecular nanocomposites are prepared at various CNT concentrations, ranging from 0.5 to 6 wt%. Incorporation of 3 wt% of CNTs leads to an increase of the material’s toughness by over 80%, and it enhances electrical conductivity by 358%, compared to CNT-free hydrogel. Meanwhile, the nanocomposite hydrogels maintain thixotropy and processability, typical of the parent hydrogel. The study also demonstrates that these materials display remarkable cytocompatibility and support cell growth and proliferation, while preserving their functional activities. These supramolecular nanocomposite hydrogels are therefore promising candidates for biomedical applications, in which both toughness and electrical conductivity are important parameters.
AB - Nanocomposite hydrogels based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are known to possess remarkable stiffness, electrical, and thermal conductivity. However, they often make use of CNTs as fillers in covalently cross-linked hydrogel networks or involve direct cross-linking between CNTs and polymer chains, limiting processability properties. Herein, nanocomposite hydrogels are developed, in which CNTs are fillers in a physically cross-linked hydrogel. Supramolecular nanocomposites are prepared at various CNT concentrations, ranging from 0.5 to 6 wt%. Incorporation of 3 wt% of CNTs leads to an increase of the material’s toughness by over 80%, and it enhances electrical conductivity by 358%, compared to CNT-free hydrogel. Meanwhile, the nanocomposite hydrogels maintain thixotropy and processability, typical of the parent hydrogel. The study also demonstrates that these materials display remarkable cytocompatibility and support cell growth and proliferation, while preserving their functional activities. These supramolecular nanocomposite hydrogels are therefore promising candidates for biomedical applications, in which both toughness and electrical conductivity are important parameters.
KW - biocompatibility
KW - electrical conductivity
KW - multi-walled carbon nanotubes
KW - nanocomposite supramolecular hydrogel
KW - tensile toughness
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85052483392&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/mabi.201800173
DO - 10.1002/mabi.201800173
M3 - Article
VL - 19
JO - Macromolecular Bioscience
T2 - Macromolecular Bioscience
JF - Macromolecular Bioscience
SN - 1616-5187
M1 - 1800173
ER -