Biopolymer-based hydrogels containing magnetic nanoparticles for application in 4D printing

• Grant number: 21/09352-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2021
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Sidney José Lima Ribeiro
• Grantee: Luygui Gaspardo Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/22828-6 - Pushing the boundaries of optical fibers: from photonics to optogenetics and environmental monitoring, AP.SPEC

Abstract

Biopolymers can be biocompatible and biodegradable, which enables their use in the medical field, including their use as a support for drug delivery systems. Fibroin is a versatile natural protein that can be processed to produce materials such as drug-releasing hydrogels. Bacterial cellulose is another biopolymer that makes it possible to extract nanocellulose. Bacterial cellulose has several properties such as water retention capacity, tensile strength, rigidity, crystallinity, porosity, and the ability to form a network of nanofibers that enable the construction of different three-dimensional structures. Bacterial cellulose nanocrystals can be used as filler and rheological modifiers in nanocomposite hydrogels (hydroxyl groups enable the construction of the nanocomposite), allowing to achieve advantageous properties for the new material. Aiming at the construction of an "intelligent" nanocomposite hydrogel, this project will use 4D Bioprinting, which consists in addition to the presence of a hydrogel, to a compound that responds to an external magnetic field and is capable of releasing a drug. Thus, in this work we intend to obtain a hydrogel of Fibroin-nanocellulose nanocomposite that can form an excellent matrix for the incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles, therefore, the nanocomposite will be functionalized with magnetic nanoparticles, with the intention that the functionalized nanocomposite hydrogel be used in 4D Bioprinting, aiming for qualities such as good resistance and applicability in the area of drug release. Nanocomposite hydrogels should be characterized by FTIR, Raman, XRD, MEV, TG, and rheology measurements. After the construction of the nanocomposite hydrogel, its application is expected to reach several areas such as cosmetics, such as creams, or even facial masks with therapeutic properties, in the Medical area, with its use in wounds and burns, with the release of drugs specified by the Health Professional. (AU)