The mutual effect of the crosslinker and biopolymer concentration on the desired hydrogel properties

Controlled release technology has a great potential in pharmaceutical and medical applications to ensure high efficacy of treatment, reduces the aggressive action of the medicines per patient, decreases the cost of treatment and reduces the side effects of the drug as well. In this research, hydrogels from biopolymers were designed for potential use in the drug release systems. The main objective was the manipulation of alginate and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) - oxidized cellulose nanofibers hydrogels crosslinking density by changing the biopolymer and crosslinker concentrations. Rheological measurements of prepared hydrogels were performed to determine the viscosity as a biomedical applicability factor and for determining shear modulus as a basis for theoretical mesh size calculations. The homogeneity of the hydrogel was confirmed by NMR verifying the validity of the mesh size calculations at the same time. In the last stage, the improved mathematical model was developed taking into account the concentration of crosslinker and the concentration of biopolymer in hydrogel as well. The designed model is the first step for the preparation of hydrogels with specific properties.