Facile synthesis of highly elastic and antibacterial hydrogels based on rosin-modified cellulose nanocrystals

Abstract

Polymer hydrogels have the characteristics of porous structure and high histocompatibility, and exhibit remarkable stability in various industrial fields. In this study, the highly elastic antibacterial rosin-modified cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) hydrogel was successfully prepared. The mechanical properties, swelling properties and antibacterial properties were investigated through a series of characterizations. The hydrogel prepared in this study exhibited a maximum elongation of 1379%. Scanning electron microscopy results revealed a tightly knit network structure in the hydrogel synthesized through UV-initiated polymerization. In terms of antibacterial properties, the Rosin@CNC hydrogel demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli. With a maximum swelling ratio of 603.42%, it showed excellent swelling capacity, enabling it to absorb and retain large amounts of water, accommodating various materials including small molecules, polymers, and particles. These characteristics positioned it as a promising antibacterial material with broad application prospects in the fields of biomedicine, plant protection and water treatment.

Graphical abstract