Abstract
In the present study, we report on the complex hydrogels formulations based on collagen-poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP)-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) cross-linked by e-beam irradiation in an aqueous polymeric solution, aiming to investigate the influence of different PEO concentrations on the hydrogel properties. The hydrogel networks’ structure and their composition were investigated using equilibrium swelling degree, complex rheological analysis, and FT-IR spectroscopy. Rheological analysis was performed to determine the elastic (G′) and viscous (G″) moduli, the average molecular weight between cross-linking points (Mc), cross-link density (Ve), and the mesh size (ξ). The effect of the PEO concentration on the properties of the hydrogel was investigated as well. Depending on the PEO concentration added in their composition, the hydrogels swelling degree depends on the absorbed dose, being lower at low PEO concentrations. All hydrogel formulations showed higher G′ values (9.8 kPa) compared to G″ values (0.2 kPa), which shows that the hydrogels have a predominantly elastic behavior. They presented stability greater than 72 h in physiological pH buffers and reached equilibrium after 25 h. The Mc parameter is strongly dependent on the PEO concentration and the absorbed dose for all hydrogel compositions. The cross-linking density increased with the absorbed dose.
Highlights
Superabsorbent hydrogels designed for wound dressings applications are typically obtained by mixing the collagen with other water-soluble polymers and chemical cross-linking agents, to increase the hydrogel properties according to their targeted specifications [3–8]
We describe the e-beam cross-linking of collagen-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) mixed with different concentrations of polyethylene oxide (PEO) to obtain superabsorbent hydrogels
For the hydrogel composition prepared with 0.1% PEO, gel fraction (GF) (%) is below 60% for doses lower than sterilization dose
Summary
To be classified as a superabsorbent hydrogel, the newly developed material has to absorb considerable amounts of water, saline solution, or physiological fluids as high as 10–1000 times their weight, owing to the considerable number of hydrophilic groups contained in their structure [1]. Because of their unique properties, superabsorbent hydrogels are suitable for use as wound dressings, disposable diapers, or as scaffolds for tissue engineering and as a drug delivery release matrix [2]. Superabsorbent hydrogels designed for wound dressings applications are typically obtained by mixing the collagen with other water-soluble polymers and chemical cross-linking agents, to increase the hydrogel properties according to their targeted specifications [3–8]
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