A high stretchable, transparent sericin hydrogel with antioxidant activity formed by CaCl2-formic acid dissolution system

Abstract

Optical transparency and extensibility hydrogels with bioactivity from natural biomaterials have gained much in importance the field of wound dressing, optical elements, sensors, and wearable electronic device. However, the current hydrogels cannot balance transparency and extensibility.In this study, we report a new sericin hydrogel using fibroin-deficient silkworm cocoons resources by a Formic/CaCl₂ acid (CaCl₂/FA) dissolution system. The sericin hydrogel demonstrated high transparency, excellent mechanical properties (the reversible elongation rate up to 1107%), good antioxidant activity, and excellent cytocompatibility. In addition, the hydrogel supports cells survival and proliferation for long-term. The sericin hydrogel system can serve as an active multifunctional platform which is promising potential for various applications.