Dynamic Tannic Acid Hydrogel with Self-Healing and pH Sensitivity for Controlled Release

Dynamic hydrogels constructed with dynamic chemical bonds often have mechanical strength and self-healing properties. In this paper, tannic acid is combined with lysine-containing F127 through Schiff base. A series of FLaT hydrogels cross-linked by hydrogen bonds and dynamic chemical bonds is prepared, and the influence of Schiff base amount on the performance is discussed. The FLaT hydrogel exhibits reversible sol–gel transition, self-healing, injectability, and pH sensitivity. Increasing the amount of Schiff base can improve the strength, stability, and self-healing ability of the hydrogel. Owing to their low cytotoxicity, linear release pattern, and pH-controlled release rate, the FLaT hydrogels show potential use in drug delivery systems for cancer treatment.