Structural, mechanical and swelling characteristics of 3D scaffolds from chitosan-agarose blends

Felfel, Reda M.; Gideon-Adeniyi, Mark J.; Hossain, Kazi M. Zakir; Roberts, George A.F.; Grant, David M.

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.10.002

Structural, mechanical and swelling characteristics of 3D scaffolds from chitosan-agarose blends

Felfel, Reda M.; Gideon-Adeniyi, Mark J.; Hossain, Kazi M. Zakir; Roberts, George A.F.; Grant, David M.

Authors

Reda M. Felfel

Mark J. Gideon-Adeniyi

Kazi M. Zakir Hossain

George A.F. Roberts

Professor DAVID GRANT DAVID.GRANT@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
PROFESSOR OF MATERIALS SCIENCE

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the correlation between mechanical and structural properties of chitosan-agarose blend (Ch-Agrs) scaffolds. Porosity of Ch-Agrs scaffolds was constant at 93%, whilst pore sizes varied between 150 and 550 μm. Pore sizes of the blend scaffolds (150 - 300 μm) were significantly smaller than for either agarose or chitosan scaffolds alone (ca. 500 μm). Ch50-Agrs50 blend scaffold showed the highest compressive modulus and strength values (4.5 ± 0.4 and 0.35 ± 0.03 MPa) due to reduction in the pore size. The presence of agarose improved the stability of the blends in aqueous media. The increase in compressive properties and residual weight after the TGA test, combined with the reduction in the swelling percentage of the blend scaffolds suggested an interaction between chitosan and agarose via hydrogen bonding which was confirmed using FTIR analysis. All wet blend scaffolds exhibited instant recovery after full compression. This study shows the potential of Ch-Agrs scaffolds for repairing soft tissue.

Citation

Felfel, R. M., Gideon-Adeniyi, M. J., Hossain, K. M. Z., Roberts, G. A., & Grant, D. M. (2019). Structural, mechanical and swelling characteristics of 3D scaffolds from chitosan-agarose blends. Carbohydrate Polymers, 204, 59-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.10.002

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Oct 1, 2018
Online Publication Date	Oct 4, 2018
Publication Date	Jan 15, 2019
Deposit Date	Oct 4, 2018
Publicly Available Date	Oct 5, 2019
Journal	Carbohydrate Polymers
Print ISSN	0144-8617
Electronic ISSN	1879-1344
Publisher	Elsevier
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	204
Pages	59-67
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.10.002
Keywords	Chitosan; Agarose; Blend scaffolds; Compressive properties; Recovery; Pore size
Public URL	https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1147167
Publisher URL	https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0144861718311780?via%3Dihub
Contract Date	Oct 4, 2018