| Autor: |
Baretta R; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, Padova 35131, Italy., Gabrielli V; Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, Université de Toulouse, INSA, INRAE, CNRS, 135 Av. de Rangueil, Toulouse 31400, France., Missale E; Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, Trento 38123, Italy., Badocco D; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, Padova 35131, Italy., Speranza G; Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Via Sommarive 18, Trento 38123, Italy.; Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie & Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche IFN-CNR, Via alla Cascata 56/C Povo, Trento 38123, Italy.; Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, Trento 38123, Italy., Pantano MF; Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, Trento 38123, Italy., Ferrarini A; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, Padova 35131, Italy., Frasconi M; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, Padova 35131, Italy. |
| Abstrakt: |
Achieving specific mechanical properties of hydrogels, especially when used as thin films, can be crucial in diverse applications, including tissue engineering and bioelectronics. Here, a novel electrochemical approach for fabricating uniform and robust hydrogel films based on carboxymethyl cellulose cross-linked by Fe 3+ ions (Fe-CMC), exhibiting tunable, dynamic properties is introduced. High modulation of the mechanical properties of the film is achieved by applying multiple electrochemical pulses of oxidative voltage during hydrogel deposition. Our study shows also a remarkable effect of the ionic strength on the properties of the electrodeposited hydrogel films. We found that switching from a salt solution to water enhanced the stiffness of the hydrogels, thereby regulating the permeability of the films. These results are supported by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, showing that an increase in the ionic strength induces a weakening of the Fe-CMC interactions, ultimately affecting the network strength. Finally, the robustness of these electrodeposited hydrogel films enables their delamination from the electrode without any damage, thereby expanding their potential applications as freestanding smart membranes. By providing fundamental insights into the dynamics of metal-coordinated bonds and their response at the macroscopic scale, we have demonstrated the versatility of electrochemical gelation for the fabrication of robust hydrogel films with tunable mechanical properties, which could serve as smart platforms for a variety of biomedical applications. |
