Dear Colleagues,

I am currently developing a dual cross-linked hydrogel system in which alginate serves as one of the primary components. My approach involves dissolving additional biopolymers within an alginate solution, allowing the gel to form initially, then adding a CaCl₂ solution to create ionic cross-linking. I then leave the gel in the solution for several hours to allow full cross-linking.

However, I have occasionally observed some degradation of the gel when it stays too long in the calcium chloride solution. I would appreciate any insights or shared experiences regarding the optimal duration for immersing alginate-based hydrogels in CaCl₂ solution to ensure efficient cross-linking while minimizing this degradation.

Thank you in advance for your valuable input.