Dual Modulation of Chitosan/Keratin Hydrogels by Pluronic F-68 and Hexamethylene Diisocyanate for Tunable Wound Healing Scaffolds

Abstract

This study investigates the complementary modulation of chitosan/keratin hydrogels through the combined use of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and Pluronic F-68, aiming to tailor mechanical stability, porosity, and biological performance for wound healing applications. Covalent crosslinking by HDI enhanced network integrity and mechanical resistance, while Pluronic F-68 promoted micelle-templated porosity, increased hydration, and improved permeability. The hydrogels exhibited compressive strength values ranging from 33.5 to 65.9 MPa, swelling capacities of up to approximately 160%, and porosity values approaching 60%, depending on composition. Increasing HDI content reduced solubility to approximately 15%, indicating improved structural stability. All formulations were cytocompatible, maintaining cell viability above 70%, with Pluronic-containing systems reaching values close to 100%. These results demonstrate that the independent control of crosslinking density and porosity enables the identification of compositional balance zones that reconcile mechanical integrity and biological response, supporting the rational design of adaptable hydrogel platforms for wound healing.

Keywords:
Hydrogels; Pluronic F-68; Hexamethylene diisocyanate; Wound healing