Porous Gelatin-Alginate-Polyacrylamide Scaffolds with Interpenetrating Network Structure: Synthesis and Characterization

We report for the first time a simple method for the synthesis of porous gelatin-alginate-polyacrylamide scaffolds with interpenetrating networks structure. The materials are obtained through a step-by-step procedure, starting with the polymerization of acrylamide and followed by the cross-linking of the natural components. Porosity was induced through freeze-drying. The composition of the resulting porous matrices is responsible for elastic properties, high water affinity, and mechanical behavior appropriate for drug delivery and soft tissue engineering use. All these properties can be modulated by slightly modifying the initial polymer mixtures. The in vitro degradation behavior can be also controlled via compositional approach.