Hybrid collagen-based hydrogels with embedded montmorillonite nanoparticles

• Obtaining of hybrid collagen-based hydrogel nanocomposites with pseudoplastic behavior
• Nanoparticles affect synthesis reaction rate and yield.
• Exfoliated/intercalated morphology, uniformly dispersed nanoparticles in hydrogels
• Thermal stability of highly crosslinked hydrogels improved.
• Organically modified montmorillonites affected adhesion capacity.

Montmorillonite nanoparticles have been physically incorporated within a crosslinked collagen/poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) network in order to adjust the properties of the stimuli-responsive hybrid systems. The research underlines both the influence of hydrogel composition and nanoparticle type on hybrid hydrogel properties. The dispersion of the montmorillonite nanoparticles in polymeric matrix have been visualized by SEM, TEM and AFM techniques and quantitatively and qualitatively estimated using near infrared chemical imaging. The electrical charge of the nanoparticles influenced the polymeric chain arrangement and the pore size. The morphologies of the nanoparticulated layers are partially exfoliated or intercalated and uniformly dispersed through the polymeric semi-interpenetrated network based on collagen and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide). The hybrid hydrogels exhibit pseudoplastic behavior and the addition of nanoparticles has resulted in the increase of the complex viscosity. The adhesion capacity was affected mainly by the presence of organically modified montmorillonites.

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