Synthesis, characterization and applications of N-quaternized chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels

Hydrogels composed of N-quaternized chitosan (NQC) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in different weight ratios (1:3), (1:1) and (3:1) chemically crosslinked by glutaraldehyde in different weight ratios – 1.0 and 5.0% – have been prepared. The prepared hydrogels were characterized via several analysis tools such as: Fourier transform IR (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Different applications have been done on NQC/PVA hydrogels including; metal ions uptake, swellability in different buffer solutions (pH: 4, 7 and 9), swellability and degradation studies in simulated body fluid (SBF) solutions and antimicrobial activity towards bacteria and fungi. The results indicated that crosslinked NQC/PVA hydrogels with glutaraldehyde (GA) are more thermallystable than non crosslinked hydrogels, NQC/PVA hydrogels swell highly in different buffer solutions as PVA content increases and the antimicrobial activity of NQC/PVA hydrogels is higher than NQC itself.