β-Chitin nanofibrils for self-sustaining hydrogels preparation via hydrothermal treatment

► Chitin nanofibrils (CNF) suspension easily prepared from squid pen by sonication irradiation. ► Heating 1% (w/v) CNF suspension at 180 °C for 4 h generated durable 3D hydrogels. ► Hydrophobic interactions promoted the self-assembly of CNF into hydrogels. ► The hydrogels can be easily cross-linked by a cytocompatible cross-linker genipin.