RT Journal Article
T1 Design and Characterization of Gelatin-Based Interpenetrating Polymer Networks for Biomedical Use: Rheological, Thermal, and Physicochemical Evaluation
A1 Grosso, Roberto
A1 Díaz Carrasco, Fátima
A1 Vidal Nogales, Elena
A1 Paz Báñez, María Violante de
A1 Díaz Blanco, Manuel Jesús
A1 Benito Hernández, Elena
AB Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field that aims to address tissue and organ failure by integrating scientific, engineering, and medial expertise. Gelatin is valued in this field for its biocompatibility; however, it faces thermal and mechanical weaknesses that limit its biomedical utility. This work proposes a strategy for improving gelatin properties by fabricating semi-interpenetrating polymer networks via in situ Diels–Alder crosslinking within gelatin colloidal solutions. Ten systems with variable polymer concentrations (2–4%) and crosslinking degrees (2–5%) were prepared and characterized. Rheological analysis revealed that elastic modulus, zero-shear viscosity, and complex viscosity were substantially enhanced, being especially dependent on the crosslinking degree, while critical strain values mostly depended on gelatin concentration. The incorporation of a synthetic Diels–Alder-crosslinked network also improved the thermal stability of gelatin hydrogels, particularly at physiological temperatures. Additionally, these systems exhibit favorable buoyancy, swelling and biodegradation profiles. Collectively, the resultant hydrogels are cytocompatible, solid-like, and mechanically robust, allowing for further tunability of their properties for specific biomedical uses, such as injectable matrices, load-bearing scaffolds for tissue repair, and 3D bioinks.
PB MDPI
SN 1996-1944 (electrónico)
YR 2026
FD 2026
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/28051
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/28051
LA eng
NO Grosso, R., Díaz-Carrasco, F., Vidal-Nogales, E., Paz, M.V. de, Díaz-Blanco, M.J., & Benito, E. (2026). Design and Characterization of Gelatin-Based Interpenetrating Polymer Networks for Biomedical Use: Rheological, Thermal, and Physicochemical Evaluation. Materials, 19(2), 289. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19020289
NO This work was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación-Agencia Estatal de Investigación (MICINN/AEI), Grant Number PID2020-115916GB-I00; the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); and the Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento (Junta de Andalucía), Grant Number US-1380587.
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 30 may 2026