Synthesis of chemical cross-linked gelatin hydrogel reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)

Abstract

A novel method was performed to obtain hydrogel with superior sensitivity towards changes in pH and temperature by incorporation of CNC into gelatin based hydrogel. Glutaraldehyde was used as cross-linker due to its high chemical reactivity towards NH2 group on gelatin. Different ratio of gelatin / CNC hydrogel was produced in order to study the effects of CNC towards the swelling behaviour of hydrogel at different pH and temperature. Swelling tests were performed at different pH range from pH 3 to pH 11. Temperature swelling tests were performed at 25°C and 37°C. The hydrogel showed impressive pH sensitivity and maximum swelling was obtained at pH 3. Higher swelling ratio was observed at higher temperature. SEM micrographs showed that the pore size of hydrogel decreased with increasing CNC content due to formation of more rigid hydrogel structure. The characteristics of the hydrogel to respond to different pH and temperature suggest that gelatin / CNC hydrogel are promising candidates to be developed as drug carrier.