Mussel‐Inspired Surface Acrylation on Graphene Oxide Using Acrylic Surface Primers and Its Hydrogel‐Based Applications: Sustained Drug Release and Tissue Scaffolds

Abstract Composite hydrogels integrated with graphene oxide were prepared to enable the sustained release of loads for graphene‐based aromatic drug delivery and enhanced cell adhesion for tissue scaffolds. The surface of graphene oxide was readily transformed by the adsorption of acrylic surface primer (SP) without chemical reactions. The surface modification was verified by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction spectra. The acrylated graphene oxide (SP‐GO) was photocrosslinked with acrylate groups of poly(ethylene glycol) to generate a composite hydrogel (SP‐GO hydrogel). Based on the molecular weight of poly(ethylene glycol), the hydrogels showed a swelling ratio range of ∼5–20, respectively. The SP‐GO did not change noticeably mechanical properties and inner structures of the hydrogels. Aromatic doxorubicin (DOX) was entrapped in the hydrogels with good yield and demonstrates the potential for a drug delivery carrier. The released DOX from the hydrogel containing SP‐GO (70.56% of entrapped DOX) exhibited a sustained release profile with reduced release after five days in a wet environment compared to the released DOX from a hydrogel without SP‐GO (92.29% of entrapped DOX). DOX is supposed to be attracted to graphene oxide and is physically entrapped inside the hydrogels. Moreover, bone MG‐63 cells entrapped in the SP‐GO hydrogel showed increased TGF‐β and fibronectin expression levels. This implies that SP‐GO contributes to enhancing cell growth and adhesion by providing cell‐laid structural support.