Novel Nanobiocomposite Hydrogels Based on Gelatin/Chitosan and Conductive Carbon Black

Composites of gelatin, chitosan and conductive carbon black nanoparticles were prepared to realize mechanically robust hydrogels integrating electrically conductive properties. The incorporation of carbon black nanoparticles into the polymer matrix significantly improved mechanical characteristics of the hydrogels, achieving also optimally tunable electrical properties. High water uptake was maintained and increase of mechanical properties, stiffness and strength was obtained. Promising electrical behavior was observed, with distinctive resistivecapacitive transition frequency depending on carbon black content. All these characteristics represent indeed fundamental features required in tissue engineering. The use of coherent mechanical matrix with conductive nanoparticles could allow to tune the electrical characteristics, thus to promote cell growth by means of both mechanical and electrical stimuli.