Synthesis and characterization of a novel semi-IPN hydrogel based on Salecan and poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 105; pp. 135 - 144
• Main Authors: Hu, Xinyu, Feng, Liandong, Wei, Wei, Xie, Aming, Wang, Shiming, Zhang, Jianfa, Dong, Wei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier 25.05.2014
• Subjects: Acrylamides - chemical synthesis; Acrylamides - metabolism; Animals; Applied sciences; beta-Glucans - chemical synthesis; beta-Glucans - metabolism; Cercopithecus aethiops; COS Cells; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate - chemical synthesis; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate - metabolism; Methacrylates - chemical synthesis; Methacrylates - metabolism; Natural polymers; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymers - chemical synthesis; Polymers - metabolism; Properties and characterization; Rheology; Solution and gel properties; Starch and polysaccharides; X-Ray Diffraction; Biological properties; Viscoelasticity; Biodegradability; Salecan; Robust materials; Cytotoxicity; Composition effect; Porous structure; Acrylamide derivative copolymer; Colloidal gel; Glucan; Agrobacterium; Poly(DMAA-co-HEMA); Bacteria; Semi-IPN hydrogels; Swelling; Pore structure; Mechanical properties; Solution copolymerization; Hydroxyethyl methacrylate copolymer; Semiinterpenetrating polymer network; Experimental study; In vitro; Cryogel; Microbial origin; Morphology; Preparation; Oside polymer; Rhizobiaceae; Kinetics; Radical copolymerization
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.01.051

Salecan is a novel water-soluble, high molecular mass extracellular β-glucan produced by Agrobacterium sp. ZX09. Salecan has excellent physicochemical and biological properties, making it very suitable for hydrogel preparation. In this study, a series of novel semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogels containing Salecan and poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (poly(DMAA-co-HEMA)) were synthesized by radical polymerization and semi-IPN technology. Structure and morphology of the hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, XRD, TGA and SEM. The semi-IPNs had a well-interconnected porous structure with tunable pore size ranging from 6 to 41μm. Swelling capability of the hydrogels was improved by introducing the hydrophilic Salecan. Rheological results indicated that the incorporation of poly(DMAA-co-HEMA) into hydrogels enhanced the storage modulus. Compression tests revealed that these semi-IPNs were robust materials with compressive modulus between 13.3 and 90.5kPa, the addition of Salecan increased the fracture strain from 71.1% to 88.8%. Degradation and cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that semi-IPNs were degradable and non-toxic.