posted on 2021-09-14, 13:40authored byNoé Fanjul-Mosteirín, Robert Aguirresarobe, Naroa Sadaba, Aitor Larrañaga, Edurne Marin, Jaime Martin, Nicolas Ramos-Gomez, Maria C. Arno, Haritz Sardon, Andrew P. Dove
The use of three-dimensional
(3D) printable hydrogels for biomedical
applications has attracted considerable attention as a consequence
of the ability to precisely define the morphology of the printed object,
allowing patients’ needs to be targeted. However, the majority
of hydrogels do not possess suitable mechanical properties to fulfill
an adequate rheological profile for printability, and hence, 3D printing
of cross-linked networks is challenging and normally requires postprinting
modifications to obtain the desired scaffolds. In this work, we took
advantage of the crystallization process of poly(ethylene glycol)
to print non-isocyanate poly(hydroxyurethane) hydrogels with tunable
mechanical properties. As a consequence of the crystallization process,
the hydrogel modulus can be tuned up to 3 orders of magnitude upon
heating up to 40 °C, offering an interesting strategy to directly
3D-print hydrogels without the need of postprinting cross-linking.
Moreover, the absence of any toxicity makes these materials ideal
candidates for biomedical applications.