Electrochemically Synthesized Polyacrylamide Gel and Core–Shell Nanoparticles for 3D Cell Culture Formation

Biocompatible polyacrylamide gel and core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using a one-step electrochemically initiated gelation. Constant-potential electrochemical decomposing of ammonium persulfate initiated the copolymerization of N-isopropyl acrylamide, methacrylic acid, and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide monomers. This decomposing potential and monomers' concentrations were optimized to prepare gel NPs and thin gel film-grafted core–shell NPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging confirmed the gel NP formation. The lyophilized gel NPs and core–shell NPs were applied to support the three-dimensional (3D) cell culture. In all, core–shell NPs provided superior support for complex 3D tissue structures.