FIGURE 2.

SEM images show the microstructure of 0.50Ag (A), 0.25Col (B), 0.50Ag0.25Col (C) and 0.25Ag0.25Col3Gel (D). The elastic component of the shear modulus G′ for all seven materials as measured in a rotational rheometer; p < 0.001 except when stated otherwise; n = 3 (E). The diffusion of FITC-labelled bovine serum albumin was determined using Fick’s second law of diffusion on fluorescence intensity profiles after 30 min of incubation as shown for 0.50Ag (F). From these profiles, the diffusion coefficient $\mathit{D}$ and the distance until 50% signal intensity remained ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathbf{50}}$ were determined; p < 0.001 for $\mathit{D}$ unless stated otherwise; ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathbf{50}}$ was found unsignificant; n = 3 (G).