Production of injectable chitosan/laponite nanohybrid hydrogel: a smartplatform for cartilage regeneration

Thermo-responsive polymer hydrogels have received great attention in recent years. The current study aimedto produce an injectable chitosan/laponite nanohybrid hydrogel using a hybrid cross-linking method.Genipin and glycerophosphate were utilized as cross-linking agents. Chitosan/laponite hydrogels wereprepared using different ratios of laponite; ۰, ۰.۵, ۱ and ۲ wt%. FTIR analysis confirmed the ionic andcovalent interactions between the characteristic groups of the hydrogels. Besides, rheological investigationsshowed that the addition of laponite to the hydrogel reduced the gelation temperature of the hydrogels. Basedon the obtained results, the prepared hydrogels are suitable candidates for cartilage tissue engineeringapplications.