Shape memory composite hydrogel based on sodium alginate dual crosslinked network with carboxymethyl cellulose

Abstract Based on the need for whole biomass hydrogels in biomedical applications, a dual-crosslinked hydrogel based on natural product sodium alginate (SA) were prepared. Dual-crosslinked was formed by SA crosslinking with glutaraldehyde (GA) and calcium ion (Ca2+), and the introduction of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) into crosslinked network to obtain excellent water-induced shape memory property. The chemical and physical crosslinking net points, formed by GA and Ca2+, as the stationary phase to hold the original shape; While hydrogen bonding interactions between CMC and SA as the switcher to fix the temporary shape in air and driving the recovery in water. The shape fixing and recovery ratio can reach 90%. The dual crosslinking effect and introduction of CMC, also strengthen the mechanical properties of hydrogels and change the size of pores in hydrogels. Cell culture experiment showed that these hydrogels are good at biocompatibility and can control the cell differentiation by adjusting the size of pores in hydrogel networks. For its excellent performance, these hydrogels can be potentially applied as biological device materials in the field such as soft tissue engineering, controlled drug release and bioactuators.