A novel multifunctional Salecan/κ-carrageenan composite hydrogel with anti-freezing properties: Advanced rheology, thermal analysis and model fitting

The multifunctional hydrogels (HGs) have attracted intensive concern in biomedicine, food, and flexible devices. Nevertheless, chemically crosslinked synthetic HGs are commonly under specific restrictions because of their possible biotoxicity. This study focuses on the employment of physical approaches to prepare novel Salecan/ kappa-carrageenan composites HGs (CHGs) without changing their basic structures. Comprehensive rheological and thermal studies have been performed to investigate their distinctive properties. The data obtained from the tests and model fitting confirmed that the highest activation energy of CHGs was 172,142.2 J/mol, and the maximum equilibrium creep compliance was 0.0085 1/Pa. The sample recovery rate could reach 92.6%, while the anti freezing temperature can be as low as-20 ?. It is the first report focusing on novel CHGs made from Sale can and kappa-carrageenan with ideal anti-freezing ability, enhanced thermostability, good injectability, self recovery, and other rheological properties that will provide effective support for various future applications.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the preparation of novel Salecan/κ-carrageenan composites HGs (CHGs) using physical approaches without altering their basic structures. Rheological and thermal studies confirmed that the CHGs have high recovery rate, low anti-freezing temperature, and ideal anti-freezing ability.