effect of nano-clay incorporation on the mechanical properties of nanocomposite ipns based on gelma/alginate/nano-clay

In the present study, a new nanocomposite interpenetrating polymer network (ipn) based on gelatin methacrylate (gelma)/alginate(alg)/nano-clay (nc) was developed with potential application in tissue engineering. the effect of nc content on the mechanical properties of gelma/alg hydrogel performance was investigated via tension and compersion testings. the results confirmed the reinforcement effect of the nc on the prepared network (0, 1, 2, and 3 %wt nc content). the nanocomposite hydrogel with 2 wt % nc showed the best mechanical properties in comparison with others. the mechanical strength and tensile behaviors of gelma/alg/nc were determined to be ca. 165% and 105% higher than those obtained for gelma/alg, respectively. the results demonstrated that the prepared gelma/alg with 2 wt% nc has the potential to be a precursor for use as a biomaterial ink for tissue engineering applications.