Multi-responsive hydrogel based on lotus root starch

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Starch-based hydrogels are promising biomaterials.
• Lotus root starch offers unique properties for material development.
• Developing stimuli-responsive hydrogels is crucial for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel lotus root starch-based hydrogel.
• To investigate the thermal stability and structural properties of the hydrogel.
• To evaluate the hydrogel's swelling behavior and response to environmental stimuli.

Main Methods:

• Free radical copolymerization was employed for hydrogel synthesis.
• Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for structural analysis.
• Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Biomicroscopy, and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) assessed morphology and thermal stability.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of lotus root starch-based hydrogel confirmed by FTIR.
• XRD indicated changes in starch crystallization upon hydrogel formation.
• FESEM and Biomicroscopy revealed the hydrogel's morphology and pore structure.
• Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated improved thermal stability.
• The hydrogel exhibited an "overshooting effect" in CaCl2 and AlCl3 solutions with temperature changes.
• Rapid response to varying pH values was observed.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized lotus root starch hydrogel possesses enhanced thermal stability and tunable swelling properties.
• The hydrogel's stimuli-responsive nature, including rapid pH response and the "overshooting effect", makes it suitable for advanced applications.
• This study highlights the potential of lotus root starch as a versatile precursor for functional hydrogel development.