Bachelor thesis
Title: Tempo modification of nanocellulose and enzyme assisted crosslinking
Short description: In view of the demand for environmentally friendly and safe biomaterials for tissue engineering, hydrogels made of natural polymers (e.g. nanocellulose) have become a desirable candidate for the construction of scaffolds for 3D printing applications.
This study will explore the synergistic modification of nanocellulose through 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) mediated oxidation and subsequent tyramine functionalization, followed by crosslinking with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). TEMPO oxidation will selectively carboxyl groups on nanocellulose, enhancing its reactivity and functional versatility. The introduction of tyramine to the oxidized nanocellulose will create reactive sites for enzymatic crosslinking. Utilizing HRP in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, we will achieve efficient crosslinking of tyramine-modified nanocellulose, forming a robust hydrogel network. This bio-catalytic process offers a green chemistry approach to producing biocompatible, mechanically resilient nanocellulose-based materials. The resultant hydrogels will exhibit improved mechanical properties, water retention, and biodegradability, presenting significant potential for biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and drug delivery systems.
Key tasks:
- TEMPO oxidation to selectively carboxylate groups on nanocellulose.
- Conjugation of tyramine to oxidized nanocellulose to create reactive sites for enzymatic crosslinking.
- Utilize horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide for efficient crosslinking of tyramine-modified nanocellulose.
- Form a robust hydrogel network through HRP-mediated crosslinking.
Contact person:
Prof. Dr. Karin Stana Kleinschek
Institute for chemistry and technology of biobased systems
Contact email:
karin.stanakleinschek@tugraz.at
tamilselvan.mohan@tugraz.at