Anionic polyelectrolyte-regulated cellulose nanocrystal-based hydrogels for controllable drug release.

The application of inorganic salt-regulated Hofmeister effects in cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)-based hydrogels is hindered by limitations, including poor biocompatibility and difficulties in achieving precise drug release. In this study, we show that the anionic polyelectrolyte regulated Hofmeister effect promotes the aggregation and crystallization of CNC and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) chains. This structural transformation significantly enhances the controllability of drug release in CNC-based hydrogels. The incorporation of anionic polyelectrolytes into CNC-based hydrogels creates a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN), significantly enhancing their mechanical properties and improving in vitro drug release controllability. Our hydrogel exhibits significant flexibility in controlling both drug release duration and capacity, with adjustable release times ranging from 16 to 52 h and tunable drug release capacities between 10.13 mg/g and 19.21 mg/g. Furthermore, antibacterial and cytotoxicity assays confirm its favorable biocompatibility and moderate antibacterial properties. Overall, our research findings emphasize that the preparation of cellulose-based hydrogels using polyelectrolytes has certain flexible regulatory functions in drug release.