Double-membrane thermoresponsive hydrogels from gelatin and chondroitin sulphate with enhanced mechanical properties

Abstract

Hydrogels made of gelatin (G) and chondroitin sulphate (ChS) have been obtained by a simple method involving layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition. The procedure gives rise to double membrane hydrogels whose thickness can be modulated with pH and concentration. The resulting hydrogels present improved mechanical properties with respect to interpenetrating polymer networks and retain their thermo-responsive behaviour.