Transparent chitosan based nanobiocomposite hydrogel: Synthesis, thermophysical characterization, cell adhesion and viability assay

This study designed to explore the characteristic features of the novel prepared hydrogel. This transparent nano-composite hydrogel was formulated with employing environmental friendly biopolymer, chitosan. To increase the hydrophilicity of chitosan, it was quaternized with triethyl amine. Also by incorporating click protocol, the triazole rings were inserted in the structure. After decoration with appropriate chemicals using efficient methods, functionalized chitosan and the corresponding hydrogel were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Swelling behavior of the synthesized hydrogel was assayed in both room temperature and 37 degrees C. Moreover, swelling kinetics were appraised and found that the experimental data fit the Schott's equation. To study the cell adhesion and proliferation, MTT assay was performed and the SEM images of 24, 48 and 72 h of direct cell culture on the surface of the scaffold were obtained. Morphological features of cultured cells were confirmed with Giemsa staining. The results displayed the potential capability of the synthesized scaffold for being used in bioapplications. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.