Local Structure of Ca2+ Alginate Hydrogels Gelled via Competitive Ligand Exchange and Measured by Small Angle X-Ray Scattering.

ABSTRACT: Alginates, being linear anionic co-polymers of 1,4-linked residues β-d-ManA (M) and α-l-GulA (G), are widely applied as hydrogel biomaterials due to their favourable in vivo biocompatibility and convenient ionic crosslinking. The "egg-box" model is the prevailing description of the local structure of junction zones that form between the alginate chains and divalent cations, such as Ca2+, when ionic gelation occurs. In the present study we address to what extent signatures of lateral dimerization and further lateral association of junction zones also represent a valid model for the gelation of alginate using the recently reported method of competitive ligand exchange of chelated Ca2+ ions as a method for introducing gelling ions at constant pH. Small angle X-ray scattering with a q range fr

SUBMITTER: Yamamoto K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6473945 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature