The effects of fCNT and oxidation on the OGG/fCNT double networked hydrogel

Abstract

Double networked (DN) hydrogel systems consisting of fCNT and OGG have been successfully developed by ionic crosslinking. OGG was synthesized and mixed with fCNT to obtain DN hybrid hydrogel with improved modulus and Tgelation. The effects of H2O2 oxidation and fCNT addition on the gelling and physico-chemical features of the prepared OGG-fCNT hydrogels were investigated. The OGG and prepared OGG-fCNT DN hydrogels were characterized by SEM, FTIR, zeta potential, contact angle, and Tgelation measurements to evaluate H2O2 oxidation and CNT effects on the physicochemical properties. While the degree of Tgelation after oxidation is successfully reduced below physiological temperature, this temperature was further lowered by mixing with fCNT. The synthesized DN hydrogel showed an increasing modulus from 1389 Pa to 4895 Pa with fCNT. The morphological structure of the OGG-fCNT DN hydrogel system was significantly affected by the addition of fCNT. This study for the OGG-fCNT hydrogel system demonstrated the interaction between components and the properties of a three-dimensional GG structure can be affected by oxidation and the presence of fCNT. The obtained observations from this study may be necessary for the application of GG as a biomaterial in tissue engineering and drug carrier in delivery systems.