High mechanical strength and stability of alginate hydrogel induced by neodymium ions coordination

An alginate-based, stable and high mechanical strength hydrogel was fabricated by trivalent ions coordination in the presence of neodymium Ions. The chemical components and morphology of the hydrogel were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of pH values on the swelling properties of hydrogels were investigated as it reveals that the pH values have an obvious effect on the swelling ratio. The as-prepared hydrogel exhibited high compressive strength and stability, which is much higher than that of the alginate hydrogel formed by Ca2+ ionic cross-linked. Moreover, the Nd(III)-Alg hydrogel also exhibited the properties of fluorescence. The easy and fast fabrication, outstanding mechanical and stable properties indicated the hydrogel as a promising material that can be used in cartilage tissue.