The development of advanced hydrogel adhesives for biomedical applications hinges on achieving a balance between mechanical robustness and strong tissue adhesion, particularly in wet environments. In this study, the mechanical and adhesive characteristics of an injectable double cross-linked hydrogel were systematically evaluated, leveraging the functional synergy of mussel foot proteins (mfps). The hydrogel system was constructed from thiolated catechol-conjugated chitosan (CSDS) and tetra-succinimidyl carbonate polyethylene glycol (PEG-4S), enabling two distinct cross-linking mechanisms: rapid coordination via catechol–Fe³⁺ or catechol–periodate complexes, followed by covalent Michael addition between thiol groups and succinimidyl carbonate esters. Rheological analysis revealed that the double cross-linked hydrogels exhibited significantly enhanced viscoelastic properties compared to single-network systems. The storage modulus (G’) of CSDS-P-I reached 1100 Pa at 100 rad/s, indicating superior solid-like behavior and structural integrity. This improvement was attributed to the formation of a denser, more interconnected network due to dual cross-linking. In contrast, the single cross-linked CSDS-Fe hydrogel displayed lower G’ values and higher loss modulus (G”), reflecting a softer, more viscous character. Lap shear testing using porcine skin as a substrate demonstrated that the double cross-linked hydrogels achieved markedly higher adhesion strengths. After 3 hours of incubation, the CSDS-P-I hydrogel showed an adhesion strength of 86 ± 4.PAH Antibody MedChemExpress 2 kPa—over 50% greater than CSDS-P (43 ± 3.Serpin B2 Protein Formula 1 kPa) and CSDS-Fe (37 ± 2.PMID:34798295 8 kPa). The enhanced adhesion was primarily due to the synergistic action of multiple interactions: catechol groups enabled hydrogen bonding, metal coordination, and oxidative coupling; thiol groups facilitated covalent bond formation through Michael addition; and the dense network structure improved cohesive strength. Notably, the adhesion performance of CSDS-P-I surpassed many previously reported mussel-inspired adhesives, highlighting the effectiveness of the dual cross-linking design. Furthermore, the adhesion strength increased over time, suggesting progressive interfacial interaction with tissue biomolecules. These results confirm that the integration of both physical and chemical cross-linking mechanisms not only strengthens the hydrogel matrix but also promotes durable bonding under physiological conditions. The combination of high mechanical stability and strong wet adhesion makes this double cross-linked hydrogel a highly promising platform for minimally invasive surgical applications, including soft tissue repair, wound sealing, and implant fixation.MedChemExpress (MCE) offers a wide range of high-quality research chemicals and biochemicals (novel life-science reagents, reference compounds and natural compounds) for scientific use. We have professionally experienced and friendly staff to meet your needs. We are a competent and trustworthy partner for your research and scientific projects.Related websites: https://www.medchemexpress.com
