Cellulose-based self-healing hydrogel through boronic ester bonds with excellent biocompatibility and conductivity

Abstract

) was synthesized through condensation reaction conveniently and then hydrogels were prepared with dynamic boronic ester cross-linking. The chemical structures, microscopic morphologies, mechanical and self-healing properties of the hydrogels were investigated intensively through Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, rheological, SEM and tensile testing. The hydrogels formed instantly without any additional catalyst and exhibit excellent self-healing ability with good mechanical properties. Moreover, the hydrogels were applied for controlled release of doxorubicin (DOX·HCl) and showed a successive slow release profile. Importantly, the hydrogel exhibited excellent biocompatibility and show potential applications in controlled drug delivery, 3D cell culture and tissue engineering.