title: Light-triggered cross-linking of alginates with caged Ca2+.
abstract: A strategy to light-trigger ionic cross-linking of alginates by incorporating a photosensitive Ca2+ cage (nitr-T) is presented. Upon irradiation, free Ca2+ was released, and this caused gelation of the alginate solution. Addition of Ca2+ "on-demand" allowed us to obtain homogeneous alginate (ALG) gels using concentrated initial ALG solutions (10%), not possible with other ionic gelation approaches. The cross-linking degree and derived mechanical properties of the hydrogel were modulated by the exposure dose. The light-mediated cross-linked alginate hydrogel displayed a significant improvement in the mechanical properties and homogeneity when compared to mixtures of alginate and soluble Ca2+ at comparable concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: Jiaxi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Miao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yijun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Gemma Maria
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Muñiz
authors.forename: Aránzazu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: del Campo
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry*; D002413:Cations, Divalent; D056831:Coordination Complexes / Q000737:chemistry*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008027:Light; D044367:Phase Transition; D055668:Photochemical Processes
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002413:Cations, Divalent; D056831:Coordination Complexes; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020100:Hydrogels; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D004492:Edetic Acid; D002118:Calcium