Biocompatible and biodegradable chitosan/sodium polyacrylate polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels with smart...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Bulk homogeneous polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels (PCH) are challenging to synthesize due to polyelectrolyte flocculation.
• Chitosan and sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) are biocompatible polymers with potential for hydrogel formation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for fabricating chitosan/sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels (CPG).
• To investigate the swelling behavior and properties of the synthesized CPG.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of CPG by cross-linking chitosan and PAAS using epichlorohydrin (ECH) in an alkali/urea aqueous solution.
• Systematic study of CPG swelling in various solutions (pH, physiological, salt concentrations).
• Evaluation of mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and biodegradability.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of homogeneous CPG by inhibiting chitosan protonation.
• Significant increase in swelling ratio (46.3 to 404.8 g/g) with PAAS introduction.
• Demonstrated smart responsive swelling behavior to pH, physiological conditions, and salt concentrations.
• CPG exhibited high compressive strength, good biocompatibility, and in vitro biodegradability.

Conclusions:

• A novel method for preparing PCH was established, overcoming common synthesis challenges.
• The developed CPG possess tunable swelling properties and mechanical integrity.
• These CPG show promise for applications in agriculture, food, tissue engineering, and drug delivery.