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Applied Sciences
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Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications
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Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanotechnology and Applied Nanosciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2019) | Viewed by 42474

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Kazuaki Matsumura

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Materials Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan
Interests: polymeric biomaterials; tissue engineering; hydrogels; drug delivery system

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hydrogels are attractive biomaterials and have been the focus of attention for many years. Hydrogels are hydrophilic polymer networks with a 3D configuration, making them promising candidates for various biomedical applications. They are used in a wide range of biological applications owing to their biocompatibility and moisture-holding capacity, which enables them to mimic the natural water content of human tissue. Nanocomposite hydrogels are nanomaterials-filled hydrogels and also have attracted considerable research interest over the last few years in order to develop clinical application for biomedical field to compensate the drawbacks of the hydrogels like weakness, brittleness, biocompatibility, drug retaining and so on. There are many advantages for the nanocomposites formation to hydrogels, such as the enhancement of mechanical properties, cytocompatibilty, drug encapsulating, and so on.

In addition, there are many types of nanomaterials that can be used as composite materials like carbon-based, polymeric, ceramic and metallic nanomaterials to give these hydrogels superior characteristics for biomedical applications.

This Special Issue of the journal Applied Sciences, “Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications”, aims to cover recent advances in the development of any type of nanocomposite hydrogels for fundamental researches and clinical applications, including tissue engineering, chemical and biological sensing, injectable materials, and drug or gene delivery. 

Dr. Kazuaki Matsumura
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Polymers
  • Biocompatibility
  • Tissue engineering
  • Drug delivery system
  • Metal nanoparticles
  • Polymer nanoparticles
  • Ceramic nanoparticles
  • Bio sensing

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

2 pages, 154 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue: Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications
by Kazuaki Matsumura
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(1), 389; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10010389 - 04 Jan 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1716
Abstract
A hydrogel consists of a three-dimensional network of polymer chains, with water as a solvent in the system [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications)

Research

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14 pages, 14534 KiB  
Article
Mapping Nanoparticles in Hydrogels: A Comparison of Preparation Methods for Electron Microscopy
by Harald Ian Muri, Linh Hoang and Dag Roar Hjelme
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(12), 2446; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8122446 - 01 Dec 2018
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6383
Abstract
The distribution of noble metal nanoparticles (NMNPs) in hydrogels influences their nanoplasmonic response and signals used for biosensor purposes. By controlling the particle distribution in NMNP-nanocomposite hydrogels, it is possible to obtain new nanoplasmonic features with new sensing modalities. Particle positions can be [...] Read more.
The distribution of noble metal nanoparticles (NMNPs) in hydrogels influences their nanoplasmonic response and signals used for biosensor purposes. By controlling the particle distribution in NMNP-nanocomposite hydrogels, it is possible to obtain new nanoplasmonic features with new sensing modalities. Particle positions can be characterized by using volume-imaging methods such as the focused ion beam-scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) or the serial block-face scanning electron microscope (SBFSEM) techniques. The pore structures in hydrogels are contained by the water absorbed in the polymer network and may pose challenges for volume-imaging methods based on electron microscope techniques since the sample must be in a vacuum chamber. The structure of the hydrogels can be conserved by choosing appropriate preparation methods, which also depends on the composition of the hydrogel used. In this paper, we have prepared low-weight-percentage hydrogels, with and without gold nanorods (GNRs), for conventional scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging by using critical point drying (CPD) and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) drying. The pore structures and the GNR positions in the hydrogel were characterized. The evaluation of the sample preparation techniques elucidate new aspects concerning the drying of hydrogels for SEM imaging. The results of identifying GNRs positioned in a hydrogel polymer network contribute to the development of mapping metal particle positions with volume imaging methods such as FIB-SEM or SBFSEM for studying nanoplasmonic properties of NMNP-nanocomposite hydrogels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications)
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13 pages, 3720 KiB  
Article
Development and Characterization of a Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)/Graphene Oxide Composite Hydrogel as An Artificial Cartilage Material
by Yibo Zhao, Wataru Terai, Yuko Hoshijima, Kazuma Gotoh, Koji Matsuura and Kazuaki Matsumura
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(11), 2272; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8112272 - 16 Nov 2018
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2661
Abstract
Poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel (PVA-H) is expected to be a suitable artificial articular cartilage material because of its high biocompatibility. However, it is difficult to affix to the surface of a living joint because it is bioinert and its mechanical strength needs to [...] Read more.
Poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel (PVA-H) is expected to be a suitable artificial articular cartilage material because of its high biocompatibility. However, it is difficult to affix to the surface of a living joint because it is bioinert and its mechanical strength needs to be improved. In this study, graphene oxide (GO) subjected to two oxidation rounds was used to form a nanocomposite material and the composite hydrogel PVA-GO-H was prepared by low-temperature crystallization. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that the addition of GO can increase roughness of the hydrogel surface. Contact angle measurements showed that the surface of PVA-GO-H exhibited hydrophobicity that increased with GO concentration and not with that of PVA-H, indicating that the hydrophilic parts of PVA and GO form hydrogen bonds and the hydrophobic part of GO was exposed on the surface. Tensile tests demonstrated that Young’s modulus was enhanced on the addition of GO. Osteoblast cells showed more affinity for PVA-GO-H than PVA-H, which much more cells adhere to than to PVA-GO-H after a certain period of culturing, suggesting GO can improve the cell attachment of PVA-H. Further studies on the influence of the oxidation time of GO are still required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications)
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10 pages, 4454 KiB  
Article
Thermoresponsive Behavior of Magnetic Nanoparticle Complexed pNIPAm-co-AAc Microgels
by Su-Kyoung Lee, Yongdoo Park and Jongseong Kim
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(10), 1984; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8101984 - 19 Oct 2018
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5484
Abstract
Characterization of responsive hydrogels and their enhancement with novel moieties have improved our understanding of functional materials. Hydrogels coupled with inorganic nanoparticles have been sought for novel types of responsive materials, but the efficient routes for the formation and the responsivity of complexed [...] Read more.
Characterization of responsive hydrogels and their enhancement with novel moieties have improved our understanding of functional materials. Hydrogels coupled with inorganic nanoparticles have been sought for novel types of responsive materials, but the efficient routes for the formation and the responsivity of complexed materials remain for further investigation. Here, we report that responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (pNIPAm-co-AAc) hydrogel microparticles (microgels) are tunable by varying composition of co-monomer and crosslinker as well as by their complexation with magnetic nanoparticles in aqueous dispersions. Our results show that the hydrodynamic diameter and thermoresponsivity of microgels are closely related with the composition of anionic co-monomer, AAc and crosslinker, N,N′-Methylenebisacrylamide (BIS). As a composition of hydrogels, the higher AAc increases the swelling size of the microgels and the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT), but the higher BIS decreases the size with no apparent effect on the VPTT. When the anionic microgels are complexed with amine-modified magnetic nanoparticles (aMNP) via electrostatic interaction, the microgels decrease in diameter at 25 °C and shift the volume phase transition temperature (VPTT) to a higher temperature. Hysteresis on the thermoresponsive behavior of microgels is also measured to validate the utility of aMNP-microgel complexation. These results suggest a simple, yet valuable route for development of advanced responsive microgels, which hints at the formation of soft nanomaterials enhanced by inorganic nanoparticles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications)
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14 pages, 3438 KiB  
Article
Aptamer Functionalized DNA Hydrogel for Wise-Stage Controlled Protein Release
by Chen Liu, Jialun Han, Yuxuan Pei and Jie Du
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8(10), 1941; https://doi.org/10.3390/app8101941 - 16 Oct 2018
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3803
Abstract
With the simple functionalization method and good biocompatibility, an aptamer-integrated DNA hydrogel is used as the protein delivery system with an adjustable release rate and time by using complementary sequences (CSs) as the biomolecular trigger. The aptamer-functionalized DNA hydrogel was prepared via a [...] Read more.
With the simple functionalization method and good biocompatibility, an aptamer-integrated DNA hydrogel is used as the protein delivery system with an adjustable release rate and time by using complementary sequences (CSs) as the biomolecular trigger. The aptamer-functionalized DNA hydrogel was prepared via a one-pot self-assembly process from two kinds of DNA building blocks (X-shaped and L-shaped DNA units) and a single-stranded aptamer. The gelling process was achieved under physiological conditions within one minute. In the absence of the triggering CSs, the aptamer grafted in the hydrogel exhibited a stable state for protein-specific capture. While hybridizing with the triggering CSs, the aptamer is turned into a double-stranded structure, resulting in the fast dissociation of protein with a wise-stage controlled release program. Further, the DNA hydrogel with excellent cytocompatibility has been successfully applied to human serum, forming a complex matrix. The whole process of protein capture and release were biocompatible and could not refer to any adverse factor of the protein or cells. Thus, the aptamer-functionalized DNA hydrogel will be a good candidate for controlled protein delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications)
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Review

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11 pages, 1206 KiB  
Review
Chitosan as a Natural Copolymer with Unique Properties for the Development of Hydrogels
by Fatma Sami El-banna, Magdy Elsayed Mahfouz, Stefano Leporatti, Maged El-Kemary and Nemany A. N. Hanafy
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(11), 2193; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9112193 - 29 May 2019
Cited by 76 | Viewed by 13949
Abstract
Hydrogel-based polymers are represented by those hydrophilic polymers having functional groups in their chain such as amine (NH2), hydroxyl [-OH], amide (-CONH-, -CONH2), and carboxyl [COOH]. These hydrophilic groups raise their potential to absorb fluids or aqueous solution more [...] Read more.
Hydrogel-based polymers are represented by those hydrophilic polymers having functional groups in their chain such as amine (NH2), hydroxyl [-OH], amide (-CONH-, -CONH2), and carboxyl [COOH]. These hydrophilic groups raise their potential to absorb fluids or aqueous solution more than their weights. This physicochemical mechanism leads to increased hydrogel expansion and occupation of larger volume, the process which shows in swelling behavior. With these unique properties, their use for biomedical application has been potentially raised owing also to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. Chitosan as a natural copolymer, presents a subject for hydrogel structures and function. This review aimed to study the structure as well as the function of chitosan and its hydrogel properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications)
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11 pages, 2996 KiB  
Review
Mucoadhesive Hydrogel Nanoparticles as Smart Biomedical Drug Delivery System
by Nemany A.N. Hanafy, Stefano Leporatti and Maged A. El-Kemary
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(5), 825; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9050825 - 26 Feb 2019
Cited by 57 | Viewed by 7893
Abstract
Hydrogels are widely used materials which have many medical applications. Their ability to absorb aqueous solutions and biological fluids gives them innovative characterizations resulting in increased compatibility with biological activity. In this sense, they are used extensively for encapsulation of several targets such [...] Read more.
Hydrogels are widely used materials which have many medical applications. Their ability to absorb aqueous solutions and biological fluids gives them innovative characterizations resulting in increased compatibility with biological activity. In this sense, they are used extensively for encapsulation of several targets such as biomolecules, viruses, bacteria, and mammalian cells. Indeed, many methods have been published which are used in hydrogel formulation and biomedical encapsulations involving several cross-linkers. This system is still rich with the potential of undiscovered features. The physicochemical properties of polymers, distinguished by their interactions with biological systems into mucoadhesive, gastro-adhesive, and stimuli responsive polymers. Hydrogel systems may be assembled as tablets, patches, gels, ointments, and films. Their potential to be co-formulated as nanoparticles extends the limits of their assembly and application. In this review, mucoadhesive nanoparticles and their importance for biomedical applications are highlighted with a focus on mechanisms of overcoming mucosal resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Biomedical Applications)
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