Role of active nanoliposomes on the surface and bulk mechanical properties of hydrogels

Abstract Nanoliposomes are widely used as delivery vehicles for active compounds. Nanoliposomes from rapeseed phospholipids were incorporated into interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and alginate. The multiscale physicochemical properties of the hydrogels are studied both on the surface and through the thickness of the 3D network. The obtained composite hydrogels exhibited strong mechanical properties and a highly porous surface. The blend ratio, as well as the concentration of nanoliposomes, affect the properties of the hydrogels. Nanofunctionalized hydrogels induced keratinocytes growth. These advantageous characteristics may open up many applications of the developed hydrogels in drug delivery and tissue engineering.