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Fabricating Superhydrophobic Polymeric Materials for Biomedical Applications
Published on: August 28, 2015
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Development and Evaluation of Superabsorbent Hydrogels Based on Natural Polymers
Rejane A Batista1,2, Paula J P Espitia3, Daviane M C Vergne1
1Post-Graduating Program in Biotechnology, Tiradentes University (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, Farolândia, Aracaju 49032-490, Brazil.
Polymers
|September 26, 2020
Summary
Eco-friendly superabsorbent hydrogels (SAHs) were developed using chitosan and xanthan gum. These novel biopolymer-based SAHs exhibit excellent swelling capacity and stability, particularly in acidic environments.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Superabsorbent hydrogels (SAHs) are crucial for various applications due to their high water absorption capacity.
- Developing sustainable and cost-effective SAHs from biopolymers is an ongoing research focus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize eco-friendly superabsorbent hydrogels (SAHs) based on Chitosan/Xanthan gum and Chitosan/Alginate blends.
- To evaluate the swelling performance, morphological structure, crystallinity, and spectroscopic properties of the developed SAHs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of SAHs using an "onion-like" methodology with Chitosan, Xanthan gum, and Alginate.
- Characterization techniques included swelling analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
Main Results:
- Chitosan significantly enhanced hydrogel structural integrity, especially in acidic conditions (pH 2), with chitosan hydrogels showing ~3000% absorption.
- Chitosan:Xanthan gum hydrogels (C1G1 and C2G1) demonstrated superior swelling in acidic (1665-2024%) and neutral (667-1005%) environments.
- SEM revealed porous structures, and XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of chitosan in all compositions.
Conclusions:
- Eco-friendly, low-cost biopolymer-based SAHs with good swelling capacity and stability can be successfully developed.
- Chitosan-based hydrogels, particularly Chitosan/Xanthan gum blends, show significant potential for applications requiring high absorption, especially in acidic media.
