Using Graphene-Based Materials for Stiff and Strong Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels
Blood-contacting devices are increasingly important for the management of cardiovascular diseases. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels represent one of the most explored hydrogels to date. However, they are mechanically weak, which prevents their use in load-bearing biomedical applications (e.g.,...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/4/2312 |
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| author | Helena P. Ferreira Duarte Moura Andreia T. Pereira Patrícia C. Henriques Cristina C. Barrias Fernão D. Magalhães Inês C. Gonçalves |
| author_facet | Helena P. Ferreira Duarte Moura Andreia T. Pereira Patrícia C. Henriques Cristina C. Barrias Fernão D. Magalhães Inês C. Gonçalves |
| author_sort | Helena P. Ferreira |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Blood-contacting devices are increasingly important for the management of cardiovascular diseases. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels represent one of the most explored hydrogels to date. However, they are mechanically weak, which prevents their use in load-bearing biomedical applications (e.g., vascular grafts, cardiac valves). Graphene and its derivatives, which have outstanding mechanical properties, a very high specific surface area, and good compatibility with many polymer matrices, are promising candidates to solve this challenge. In this work, we propose the use of graphene-based materials as nanofillers for mechanical reinforcement of PEG hydrogels, and we obtain composites that are stiffer and stronger than, and as anti-adhesive as, neat PEG hydrogels. Results show that single-layer and few-layer graphene oxide can strengthen PEG hydrogels, increasing their stiffness up to 6-fold and their strength 14-fold upon incorporation of 4% <i>w/v</i> (40 mg/mL) graphene oxide. The composites are cytocompatible and remain anti-adhesive towards endothelial cells, human platelets and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, similar to neat hydrogels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to report such an increase of the tensile properties of PEG hydrogels using graphene-based materials as fillers. This work paves the way for the exploitation of PEG hydrogels as a backbone material for load-bearing applications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:44:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9e444e4660ff405682a7c178d6a65062 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T21:44:14Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-9e444e4660ff405682a7c178d6a650622023-11-23T20:23:32ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672022-02-01234231210.3390/ijms23042312Using Graphene-Based Materials for Stiff and Strong Poly(ethylene glycol) HydrogelsHelena P. Ferreira0Duarte Moura1Andreia T. Pereira2Patrícia C. Henriques3Cristina C. Barrias4Fernão D. Magalhães5Inês C. Gonçalves6i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugali3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugali3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugali3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugali3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, PortugalLEPABE—Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia, Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugali3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, PortugalBlood-contacting devices are increasingly important for the management of cardiovascular diseases. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels represent one of the most explored hydrogels to date. However, they are mechanically weak, which prevents their use in load-bearing biomedical applications (e.g., vascular grafts, cardiac valves). Graphene and its derivatives, which have outstanding mechanical properties, a very high specific surface area, and good compatibility with many polymer matrices, are promising candidates to solve this challenge. In this work, we propose the use of graphene-based materials as nanofillers for mechanical reinforcement of PEG hydrogels, and we obtain composites that are stiffer and stronger than, and as anti-adhesive as, neat PEG hydrogels. Results show that single-layer and few-layer graphene oxide can strengthen PEG hydrogels, increasing their stiffness up to 6-fold and their strength 14-fold upon incorporation of 4% <i>w/v</i> (40 mg/mL) graphene oxide. The composites are cytocompatible and remain anti-adhesive towards endothelial cells, human platelets and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, similar to neat hydrogels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to report such an increase of the tensile properties of PEG hydrogels using graphene-based materials as fillers. This work paves the way for the exploitation of PEG hydrogels as a backbone material for load-bearing applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/4/2312biomaterialsPEGgraphene oxidetensile strengthanti-adhesive surfacecardiovascular applications |
| spellingShingle | Helena P. Ferreira Duarte Moura Andreia T. Pereira Patrícia C. Henriques Cristina C. Barrias Fernão D. Magalhães Inês C. Gonçalves Using Graphene-Based Materials for Stiff and Strong Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels International Journal of Molecular Sciences biomaterials PEG graphene oxide tensile strength anti-adhesive surface cardiovascular applications |
| title | Using Graphene-Based Materials for Stiff and Strong Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels |
| title_full | Using Graphene-Based Materials for Stiff and Strong Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels |
| title_fullStr | Using Graphene-Based Materials for Stiff and Strong Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using Graphene-Based Materials for Stiff and Strong Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels |
| title_short | Using Graphene-Based Materials for Stiff and Strong Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels |
| title_sort | using graphene based materials for stiff and strong poly ethylene glycol hydrogels |
| topic | biomaterials PEG graphene oxide tensile strength anti-adhesive surface cardiovascular applications |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/4/2312 |
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