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Preparation of semi-interpenetrating silk fibroin–polyacrylamide nanogels

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Abstract

Silk fibroin (SF) is a promising material for biomedical applications especially in the form of nanogels that combine the advantages of nanotechnology and cross-linking gel-like systems with various superior properties in biological environment. The present study describes the preparation of a semi-interpenetrating (semi-IPN) network using SF and polyacrylamide (PAAm) in the presence of N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) (BAAm) as a chemical crosslinker. While the particles were obtained by an inverse microemulsion method, photo-polymerization reactions were performed with Irgacure as an initiator. UV irradiation time and SF concentrations were adjusted to get stable Semi-IPN nanogels with a size smaller than 200 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were used for sample characterizations. FT-IR measurements proved both the existence of SF and PAAM in the nanogel structure and also β-sheet formation of SF with methanol treatment. A characteristic peak at 20.0 A° corresponding to the β-sheet crystalline structure of SF was obtained by XRD analysis. In addition to the dialysis purification, smaller particles can be obtained with a size around 100 nm by increasing SF concentration. DLS results were supported by TEM images of nanogels with a spherical shape. The results indicated that optimized conditions are suitable for the development of SF nanogels with potential applications in drug delivery.

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Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by the Scientific Research Projects Committee of Bezmialem Vakif University (BAP, 9.2017/24), Istanbul, Turkey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Bezmialem Vakıf University Health Sciences Institute, 34093, Istanbul, Turkey

    Mahinur Tuncel

  2. Faculty of Pharmacy, Bezmialem Vakif University, 34093, Istanbul, Turkey

    Deniz Ceylan Tuncaboylu

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  1. Mahinur Tuncel
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  2. Deniz Ceylan Tuncaboylu
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Correspondence to Deniz Ceylan Tuncaboylu.

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Tuncel, M., Ceylan Tuncaboylu, D. Preparation of semi-interpenetrating silk fibroin–polyacrylamide nanogels. Polym. Bull. 78, 3043–3054 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-020-03245-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-020-03245-w

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