Multifunctional pH‐Responsive Sprayable Hydrogel Based on Chitosan and Lignin‐Based Nanoparticles

Abstract

Multifunctional sprayable hydrogels are widely developed for daily chemical and biomedical application. However, adding functional components and active ingredients is difficult to achieve uniform distribution and controlled release. Here, a new kind of lignin‐based nanoparticles is prepared, which can give hydrogels more functions (anti‐ultraviolet and antioxidant properties) and promote the response of hydrogels to pH stimulus. The nanocomposite hydrogels are engineered using carboxymethyl chitosan (CS) and trans‐resveratrol‐loaded lignin‐based nanoparticles (LRNPs). The rheological, anti‐ultraviolet, and antioxidant properties of the sprayable hydrogel can be fine‐tuned by varying the ratio of lignin‐based nanoparticles. More importantly, the release behavior of the active ingredient can be flexibly controlled by adjusting the pH environment. This work provides a facile approach to fabricate a green and intelligent sprayable hydrogel amenable to a great potential in daily chemical and biomedical area.

Lignin for Nano‐ and Microscaled Carrier Systems: Applications, Trends, and Challenges

“…Many recent studies used lignin‐based micro‐ and nanocapsules for sunscreen applications, relying on the natural UV absorbance of lignin and making use of synergistic effects between conventional, normally very hydrophobic sunscreen active substances and lignin . Qiu et al.…”

Multifunctional Hydrogel Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications

“…Traditional dressings and sealants often require the use of antibiotics to prevent microbial infection [ 40 ]. Researchers have demonstrated that the incorporation of nanoparticles can endow hydrogels with antipathogenic properties [ 34 , 39 , 44 , 56 , 73 ], as well as add angiogenic, or adhesive properties [ 27 , 29 , 35 , 40 , 74 , 75 ], thus improving their use for wound healing [ 57 , 76 , 77 ].…”

“…Researchers are exploring other methods to create antimicrobial wound dressings using nanoparticles including pH sensitive drug delivery [ 47 , 76 ] and the use of phototherapy to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) [ 36 , 57 ]. Zhu et al incorporated lignin-based NPs loaded with trans-resveratrol, a drug with antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activity, to carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels.…”

“…Zhu et al incorporated lignin-based NPs loaded with trans-resveratrol, a drug with antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activity, to carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels. The addition of these nanoparticles not only improved mechanical properties to create a sprayable hydrogel, but also released trans-resveratrol when exposed to a pH stimulus [ 76 ]. Another research group incorporated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and antibiotic moxifloxacin hydrochloride into chitosan hydrogels to deliver the antibiotic on-demand with pH changes in the environment [ 47 ].…”

Multifunctional Hydrogel Nanocomposites for Biomedical Applications

“…Traditional dressings and sealants often require the use of antibiotics to prevent microbial infection [57]. Researchers have demonstrated the incorporation of nanoparticles can endow hydrogels with antipathogenic properties [39,54,[58][59][60], as well as add angiogenic, or adhesive properties [27,29,57,[61][62][63], thus improving their use for wound healing [64][65][66].…”