Abstract
Photopolymerized microparticles are made of biocompatible hydrogels like Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate (PEGDA) by using microfluidic devices are a good option for encapsulation, transport and retention of biological or toxic agents. Due to the different applications of these microparticles, it is important to investigate the formulation and the mechanical properties of the material of which they are made of. Therefore, in the present study, mechanical tests were carried out to determine the swelling, drying, soluble fraction, compression, cross-linking density () and mesh size () properties of different hydrogel formulations. Tests provided sufficient data to select the best formulation for the future generation of microparticles using microfluidic devices. The initial gelation times of the hydrogels formulations were estimated for their use in the photopolymerization process inside a microfluidic device. Obtained results showed a close relationship between the amount of PEGDA used in the hydrogel and its mechanical properties as well as its initial gelation time. Consequently, it is of considerable importance to know the mechanical properties of the hydrogels made in this research for their proper manipulation and application. On the other hand, the initial gelation time is crucial in photopolymerizable hydrogels and their use in continuous systems such as microfluidic devices.
Highlights
As macroscopic processes in biology, chemistry and medicine have evolved to compact processes of microscopic scales, microparticles generation has been an attractive approach and a key factor in the evolution of these processes [1]
Microparticles generated by microfluidic devices have advantages of integrity, high efficiency, homogeneity in particle size and continuous production which represent a great potential for the biotechnological field [1,2,3]
We investigate the initial gelation time of different hydrogel formulations as well as their mechanical properties to contribute in the future generation of photopolymerized Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate (PEGDA) microparticles using microfluidic devices
Summary
As macroscopic processes in biology, chemistry and medicine have evolved to compact processes of microscopic scales, microparticles generation has been an attractive approach and a key factor in the evolution of these processes [1]. To reduce the length of the photopolymerization zone, the length of the channel or the injection speed of the immiscible liquid phases must be reduced Another option is to work with a hydrogel formulation with a short initial gelation time. We investigate the initial gelation time of different hydrogel formulations as well as their mechanical properties to contribute in the future generation of photopolymerized PEGDA microparticles using microfluidic devices
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