Printable Alginate Hydrogels with Embedded Network of Halloysite Nanotubes: Effect of Polymer Cross-Linking on Rheological Properties and Microstructure.

ABSTRACT: Rapidly growing 3D printing of hydrogels requires network materials which combine enhanced mechanical properties and printability. One of the most promising approaches to strengthen the hydrogels consists of the incorporation of inorganic fillers. In this paper, the rheological properties important for 3D printability were studied for nanocomposite hydrogels based on a rigid network of percolating halloysite nanotubes embedded in a soft alginate network cross-linked by calcium ions. Particular attention was paid to the effect of polymer cross-linking on these properties. It was revealed that the system possessed a pronounced shear-thinning behavior accompanied by a viscosity drop of 4-5 orders of magnitude. The polymer cross-links enhanced the shear-thinning properties and accelerated the

SUBMITTER: Glukhova SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8659288 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature