Insect Cuticle-Mimetic Hydrogels with High Mechanical Properties Achieved via the Combination of Chitin Nanofiber and Gelatin

By mimicking the natural sclerotization process of insect cuticles, a novel nanofiber-reinforced gelatin hydrogel was developed with improved mechanical properties, which was further strengthened through quinone cross-linking. Because quinone cross-linking reacts between amino groups by increasing the amino group content on the chitin crystalline surface through alkali treatment, surface-deacetylated chitin nanofibers (SD-ChNFs) were prepared to facilitate the cross-linking reaction between SD-ChNF and gelatin. This technique resulted in a tough hydrogel with a dark color. In comparison to a non-cross-linked version, the quinone-cross-linked SD-ChNF/gelatin hydrogel exhibited significantly improved tensile performance. Notably, by controlling the cross-linking reaction time from 6 to 48 h, the tensile strength of the quinone-cross-linked hydrogels can be modified and can reach as high as 2.96 MPa while displaying a variable brown color. Given the eco-friendly, biocompatible, and sustainable properties of chitin and gelatin, these bioinspired hydrogels provide potential applications in the agricultural and biomedical fields.