Synthesis and characterization of fish gelatin hydrogels for enhanced biopolymer applications

Abstract

In this work, a novel fish gelatin (FG)-based hydrogel was synthesized, and various properties of the FG/Polyacrylamide (PAM) hydrogel were characterized including the properties of precursor, gelling process, mechanical and physical. With the FG mass ratio increased from 0 % to 10 %, the particle size of the solution increased from 0 nm to 673.67 nm, as well as the zeta potential shifted from negative (-1.57 mV) to positive (exceeds 11.0 mV). Moreover, the apparent viscosity of FG/Acrylamide (AAm) precursor solutions became more stable than that of the pure AAm solution. Eventually, during the gelling process, the gelation temperature of the FG/PAM hydrogel increased from 39.17°C to 64.19°C. The hydrogel exhibited over a 5-fold increase in compressive fatigue resistance at an 80 % strain level, with a maximum stress of 1.225 MPa (FG:AAm = 1.0:9.0) under various strain conditions. The microstructure of various FG/PAM hydrogels formed a spatially structured network and pores in the hydrogel. When FG content increased, the pores density became intensive and then loose. Additionally, the experiment results showed FG/PAM hydrogels exhibited excellent biodegradability. The findings of this study provide a foundation and promising prospect for further exploration and application of hydrogels incorporated with FG.