Thermoresponsive hybrid hydrogel of oxidized nanocellulose using a polypeptide crosslinker

Thermoresponsive hybrid nanocellulose hydrogels were prepared from a mixture of oxidized nanocellulose and elastin-like polypeptide (ELP). Positively charged ELP was used as a polymeric crosslinker for conjugation with negatively charged nanocellulose. Hydrogel formation was triggered by a simple increase in temperature, and the hydrogel was reversibly returned to the liquid phase by decreasing temperature. Surface potential measurement confirmed the electrostatic properties of oxidized nanocellulose and ELP molecules. The surface morphology of hydrogels was observed by atomic force microscopy and field emission-scanning electron microscopy. Conformational changes in the ELP/nanocellulose hybrid were characterized by circular dichroism. The ELP/nanocellulose hybrid hydrogel was noncytotoxic and suitable for encapsulating cells, indicating its potential for biomedical applications.