Viscoelastic properties and nanoscale structures of composite oligopeptide-polysaccharide hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: Biocompatible and biodegradable peptide hydrogels are drawing increasing attention as prospective materials for human soft tissue repair and replacement. To improve the rather unfavorable mechanical properties of our pure peptide hydrogels, in this work we examined the possibility of creating a double hydrogel network. This network was created by means of the coassembly of mutually attractive, but self-repulsive oligopeptides within an already-existing fibrous network formed by the charged, biocompatible polysaccharides chitosan, alginate, and chondroitin. Using dynamic oscillatory rheology experiments, it was found that the coassembly of the peptides within the existing polysaccharide network resulted in a less stiff material as compared to the pure peptide networks (the elastic modulus G

SUBMITTER: Hyland LL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3506395 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature