Hydrogel Nanocomposites with Independently Tunable Rheology and Mechanics.

ABSTRACT: Hydrogels are an attractive class of biomaterials for minimally invasive local drug delivery given their injectability, tunability, high water content, and biocompatibility. Broad applicability though is challenged: relatively modest mechanical properties restrict use to soft tissues, while flow properties necessary for injectability limit implantation to dried, enclosed tissues to minimize material migration during gelation. To address these dual concerns, we designed an injectable nanocomposite hydrogel based on dextran aldehyde and a poly(amido amine) dendrimer doped with phyllosilicate nanoplatelet fillers. Balance of components allows for exfoliation of nanoplatelets, significantly changing macromer solution flow, facilitating injection and manipulation in a wide variety of implantati

SUBMITTER: Unterman S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5641218 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature