abstract
Freestanding multilayered films were obtained using layer-by-layer (LbL) technology from the assembly of natural polyelectrolytes, namely chitosan (CHT) and chondroitin sulfate (CS). The morphology and the transparency of the membranes were evaluated. The influence of genipin (1 and 2 mg ml(-1)), a naturally-derived crosslinker agent, was also investigated in the control of the mechanical properties of the CHT/CS membranes. The water uptake ability can be tailored by changing the crosslinker concentration that also controls the Young's modulus and ultimate tensile strength. The maximum extension tends to decrease upon crosslinking with the highest genipin concentration, compromising the elastic properties of CHT/CS membranes: nevertheless, when using a lower genipin concentration, the ultimate tensile stress is similar to the non-crosslinked one, but exhibits a significantly higher modulus. Moreover, the crosslinked multilayer membranes exhibited shape memory properties, through a simple hydration action. The in vitro biological assays showed better L929 cell adhesion and proliferation when using the crosslinked membranes and confirmed the non-cytotoxicity of the developed CHT/CS membranes. Within this research work, we were able to construct freestanding biomimetic multilayer structures with tailored swelling, mechanical and biological properties that could find applicability in a variety of biomedical applications.
keywords
SHAPE-MEMORY POLYMERS; BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS; POLYELECTROLYTE MULTILAYERS; HYALURONIC-ACID; CROSS-LINKING; MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES; CHONDROITIN SULFATE; CHITOSAN MEMBRANES; CELL-ADHESION; THIN-FILMS
subject category
Engineering; Materials Science
authors
Sousa, MP; Cleymand, F; Mano, JF
our authors
João Mano
Vice Director
Maria Sousa
PhD Studentacknowledgements
FC and JFM would like to thank Region Lorraine, FEDER and Mines Nancy for their financial support. MS acknowledges the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for financial support through SFRH/BD/97606/2013 grant.