Microwave-assisted methacrylation of chitosan for 3D printable hydrogels in tissue engineering. Issue 1 (22nd November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zanon, Michael; Chiappone, Annalisa; Garino, Nadia; Canta, Marta; Frascella, Francesca; Hakkarainen, Minna; Pirri, Candido Fabrizio; Sangermano, Marco
• Is Part Of: Materials advances. Volume 3:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 514
• Page End: 525
• Publication Date: 2021-11-22
• Subjects: 620.11
• DOI: 10.1039/d1ma00765c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2633-5409

Abstract

Abstract : The microwave-assisted methacrylation of chitosan is studied. The control of the process parameters allows tuning the methacrylation degree and thus the hydrogel properties after photocuring. The resulting chitosan is 3D printable and biocompatible. Abstract : Light processable natural polymers are highly attractive for 3D printing of biomedical hydrogels with defined geometries and sizes. However, functionalization with photo-curable groups, such as methacrylate or acrylate groups, is required. Here, we investigated a microwave-assisted process for methacrylation of chitosan to replace conventional methacrylation processes that can be time consuming and tedious. The microwave-assisted methacrylation reaction was optimized by varying the synthesis parameters such as the molar ratio of chitosan to the methacrylic agent, the launch and reaction times and process temperature. The optimized process was fast and efficient and allowed tuning of the degree of substitution and thereby the final hydrogel properties. The successful methacrylation and degree of substitution were verified by 1 H NMR and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The influence of the degree of methacrylation on photo-rheology, mechanical stiffness, swelling degree and gel content was evaluated. Furthermore, favourable 3D printability, enzymatic degradability, biocompatibility, cell migration and proliferation were demonstrated giving promise for further applications in tissue engineering.