Structuring gelatin methacryloyl – dextran hydrogels and microgels under shear
Ghazi Ben Messaoud, Evdokia Stefanopoulou, Mattis Wachendörfer, Sanja Aveic, Horst Fischer, Walter Richtering
Abstract
UV-curing of the GelMA-rich phase. The microstructure of the resulting hydrogels is examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The results show that the GelMA string phase and GelMA hydrogels with aligned bands can be formed depending on the concentration of dextran and the applied preshear. The influence of the pH of the ATPS is investigated and demonstrates the formation of multiple emulsions upon decreasing the charge density of GelMA. The preshearing of multiple emulsions, following gelation, leads to the formation of porous GelMA microgels. The diversity of the formed structures highlights the application potential of preshearing ATPS in the development of functional soft materials.