Fabricating mechanically strong hydrogels that can withstand the conditions in internal tissues is a challenging task. We have designed hydrogels based on multicomponent systems by combining chitosan, starch/cellulose, PVA, and PEDOT:PSS via one-pot synthesis. The starch-based hydrogels were homogeneous, while the cellulose-based hydrogels showed the presence of cellulose micro- and nanofibers. The cellulose-based hydrogels demonstrated a swelling ratio between 121 and 156%, while the starch-based hydrogels showed higher values, from 234 to 280%. Tensile tests indicated that the presence of starch in the hydrogels provided high flexibility (strain at break > 300%), while combination with cellulose led to the formation of stiffer hydrogels (elastic moduli 3.9–6.6 MPa). The ultimate tensile strength for both types of hydrogels was similar (2.8–3.9 MPa). The adhesion and growth of human osteoblast-like SAOS-2 cells was higher on hydrogels with cellulose than on hydrogels with starch, and was higher on hydrogels with PEDOT:PSS than on hydrogels without this polymer. The metabolic activity of cells cultivated for 3 days in the hydrogel infusions indicated that no acutely toxic compounds were released. This is promising for further possible applications of these hydrogels in tissue engineering or in wound dressings.

Graphical abstract

中文翻译：

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基于壳聚糖、纤维素/淀粉、PVA 和 PEDOT:PSS 的生物相容性水凝胶，具有高柔韧性和高机械强度

制造能够承受内部组织条件的机械强度高的水凝胶是一项具有挑战性的任务。我们通过一锅法合成壳聚糖、淀粉/纤维素、PVA 和 PEDOT:PSS 设计了基于多组分系统的水凝胶。基于淀粉的水凝胶是均质的，而基于纤维素的水凝胶显示存在纤维素微纤维和纳米纤维。基于纤维素的水凝胶表现出 121% 到 156% 的溶胀率，而基于淀粉的水凝胶表现出更高的值，从 234% 到 280%。拉伸测试表明，水凝胶中淀粉的存在提供了高柔韧性（断裂应变 > 300%），而与纤维素的结合导致形成更硬的水凝胶（弹性模量 3.9-6.6 MPa）。两种水凝胶的极限拉伸强度相似（2.8-3. 9 兆帕）。人类成骨细胞样 SAOS-2 细胞的粘附和生长在含有纤维素的水凝胶上高于在含有淀粉的水凝胶上，并且在含有 PEDOT:PSS 的水凝胶上高于在不含这种聚合物的水凝胶上。在水凝胶输注中培养 3 天的细胞的代谢活性表明没有释放剧毒化合物。这对于这些水凝胶在组织工程或伤口敷料中的进一步可能应用是有希望的。

图形概要