Dual-Crosslinked Oxidized Pectin/N-Succinyl Chitosan Hydrogel Containing Graphene Oxide Nanosheets for Tissue Engineering Application

Abstract

Biopolymer-based hydrogels are commonly used in clinical applications. In the present study, N- succinyl chitosan (NSC), oxidized pectin (OP), and graphene oxide (GO) were used to develop a new dual-crosslinked hydrogel system. The dynamic OP/NSC/GO hydrogel showed quick gelation and great injectability due to the cooperation of hydrogen interaction between the GO nanosheets and the NSC and OP macromolecules and Schiff-based crosslinking by amino and aldehyde functional groups of polysaccharide derivatives. The performance of the above-mentioned hydrogel was improved when the GOs were embedded. When the GO content was 6 (mg/ml), the hydrogel showed the best overall performance, with a 10-minute healing time, a quick gelation time (~ 13s), acceptable swelling ability, suitable conductivity, great hemocompatibility, and strong biological compatibility. These results showed that the composite hydrogel could be used as a promising conductive injectable self-healing hydrogel for tissue engineering applications.