Copolymer Hydrogels Research Articles

Preparation and properties of ternary copolymer hydrogel materials

In order to improve the adsorption of heavy metal ions on acrylic hydrogels, P(AA-co-AM-co-S) hydrogels were synthesized from acrylic, acrylamide and styrene as raw materials. During the synthesis, potassium persulfate was used as the initiator, N, N’-methylenebisacrylamide was used as the crosslinking agent, and the degree of neutralization was 80%. The structure of the prepared hydrogel was determined by infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption properties of hydrogels on Ni2+ at different times and pH were determined. The results show that the adsorption capacity of Ni2+ ions on the hydrogel reaches the equilibrium adsorption capacity in about 2 hours and reaches 159 mg/g. The second-order kinetic model fits well. The optimal pH for the adsorption of Ni2+ ions by the hydrogel is 3.5 ~ 4.5 and the adsorption capacity is 160 mg/g. This study has important theoretical and practical significance for the development of high-efficiency, environmentally friendly, low-cost heavy metal ion hydrogels.

An Optical Urate Biosensor Based on Urate Oxidase and Long-Lifetime Metalloporphyrins.

Gout is a condition that affects over 8 million Americans. This condition is characterized by severe pain, and in more advanced cases, bone erosion and joint destruction. This study explores the fabrication and characterization of an optical, enzymatic urate biosensor for gout management, and the optimization of the biosensor response through the tuning of hydrogel matrix properties. Sensors were fabricated through the co-immobilization of oxygen-quenched phosphorescent probes with an oxidoreductase within a biocompatible copolymer hydrogel matrix. Characterization of the spectral properties and hydrogel swelling was conducted, as well as evaluation of the response sensitivity and long-term stability of the urate biosensor. The findings indicate that increased acrylamide concentration improved the biosensor response by yielding an increased sensitivity and reduced lower limit of detection. However, the repeatability and stability tests highlighted some possible areas of improvement, with a consistent response drift observed during repeatability testing and a reduction in response seen after long-term storage tests. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of an on-demand, patient-friendly gout management tool, while paving the way for a future multi-analyte biosensor based on this sensing platform.

Protein Adsorption and Bacterial Adhesion Resistance of Cross‐linked Copolymer Hydrogels Based on Poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) and Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

Herein, the preparation of the cross‐linked copolymer hydrogels composed of various weight ratios of 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomers employing free‐radical polymerization was reported. The integration of the MPC monomer into HEMA‐based hydrogels showed good transmittance (>90%) and enhanced the water content retention (79–202%) relative to those of pure HEMA‐based hydrogel. Notably, the MPC‐containing hydrogels (MPC‐H) exhibited the improved anti‐biofouling properties due to the formation of a compact hydration layer produced by the biomimetic MPC units at the hydrogel surface. MPC‐H exhibited a decrease in the bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme adsorption of approximately 40–70% and 44–65%, respectively, relative to those of control hydrogel without MPC monomer. The results presented herein demonstrate the potential of expending biocompatible monomers such as HEMA and MPC to efficiently generate a biomaterial that possesses both bio‐membrane mimicking character and protein and bacterial resistant properties for various industrial and biomedical applications.

Probing Viscosity of Co-Polymer Hydrogel and HeLa Cell Using Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters: Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy and Anisotropy Decay.

Fluorescence dynamics of gold nanoclusters (Au9 and Au25 ) are studied in the complex and crowded environment of a triblock co-polymer (F127) hydrogel and inside cervical cancer cell, HeLa. In the hydrogel, spherical micelles of F127 remain immobilized with a hydrophobic core (PPO) and a hydrophilic corona (PEO) region. The fluorescence anisotropy decay suggests that the timescale of rotational relaxation in the hydrogel is similar to that in bulk water (viscosity ∼1 cP). From fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) it is inferred that the local viscosity in the hydrogel is 12 cP for Au9 and 18 cP for Au23 . These results indicate that gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) localize in the corona region of the hydrogel. Evidently, frictions against rotation and translation are different inside the gel. It is suggested that rotation of the AuNCs senses the immediate water-like "void" region while translation motion involves in-and-out movement of the AuNCs at the periphery of the gel. Finally, the gold nanoclusters are used for cell imaging and estimation of intracellular viscosity of HeLa cells.

Enhanced thermal properties of hydrate salt/poly (acrylate sodium) copolymer hydrogel as form-stable phase change material via incorporation of hydroxyl carbon nanotubes

The collecting energy from solar radiation using phase change materials is significant in the field of thermal storage. In the current work, a novel MWCNT-modified hydrate salt/poly (acrylate sodium) copolymer hydrogel (MWCNT-GS/PAAS) form-stable composite PCM was well prepared using mechanical mixing method. The form-stable ability, microstructure, heat storage capacity, thermal stability and thermal-cycling reliability of the prepared MWCNT-GS/PAAS were investigated. The leakage experiment exhibited that the MWCNT-GS/PAAS containing 7 wt% PAAS can maintain original gel-structure without leakage in melting state of hydrate salt. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy was used to demonstrate that the hydrate salt PCM was coated with densified hydrogel film. ATR-FTIR and Raman spectra results indicated that the hydrate salt PCM was encapsulated successfully within the network gel-structure. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) suggested that the MWCNT-GS/PAAS composite possessed good thermal storage capacity, of which the latent heat reached up to 187.2 J/g. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the retention ratio of the crystal water in MWCNT-GS/PAAS is as high as 64.8 wt% at the temperature where the Glauber's salt completely dehydrated. The heat transfer performance suggested that the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the MWCNT-GS/PAAS composite increased by 141.7% and 167.1% compared with those of the pure GS. Furthermore, being subjected to 500 thermal cycles, the prepared composite maintained favorable thermal and chemical stability. The obtained results indicated MWCNT-GS/PAAS composite was an outstanding candidate used for solar energy storage systems.

Effects of Molar Ratios of Two Immiscible Monomers toward Development of an Amphiphilic, Highly Stretchable, Bioadhesive, Self-Healing Copolymeric Hydrogel and its Mineral-Active Cellular Behavior.

Here, we report the striking properties such as high stretchability, self-healing, and adhesiveness of an amphiphilic copolymeric hydrogel (poly(acrylic acid)-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PAA-PMMA) gel) synthesized from two immiscible monomers-acrylic acid (AA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA)-through a simple free radical polymerization in an aqueous medium. The developed hydrogel, with a specific molar ratio of MMA and AA, is self-healable, which is attributed to the hydrophobic interaction arising from methyl groups of PMMA, as well as the breakdown and reformation of sacrificial noncovalent cross-linking through the weak hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic acid groups of PAA and methoxy groups of PMMA. The energy dissipation values in the hysteresis test signify the excellent self-recoverability of the hydrogel. The developed hydrogel showed adhesive behavior to the surfaces of polystyrene, glass, wood, metal, stone, ceramics, pork skin, and human skin. The physical and mechanical properties of the PAA-PMMA gel were fine-tuned through changes in the MMA/AA ratio and pH. Moreover, the PAA-PMMA hydrogel can serve as a template for calcium phosphate mineralization to yield a hydrogel composite, which improved MC3T3 cell adhesion and proliferation. Overall, we propose that depending on synthesis parameters and other scenarios, the synthesized PAA-PMMA hydrogel could potentially be employed in varying biomedical and industrial applications.

Synthesis, characterization and adsorption studies of nano-composite hydrogels and the effect of SiO2 on the capacity for the removal of Methylene Blue dye

Nanocomposite hydrogels were produced by free radical polymerization of acrylic acid and N-vinylpyrrolidone in the presence of SiO2 nanoparticles. The chemical and morphological structures of the hydrogels were determined using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The nanocomposite hydrogels were used for the adsorption and desorption of Methylene Blue dye from wastewater. Wastewater was referred to distilled water that contained Methylene Blue dye under laboratory conditions. The carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen contents of the dye, hydrogels and dye-adsorbed hydrogels were determined by elemental analysis. The influences of SiO2 nanoparticles and copolymerization on the adsorption capacity were studied. The maximum dye removal of 98.3 % was obtained with AA-co-VP (3:1) copolymeric hydrogel. The synthesized hydrogels could be evaluated as adsorbents in wastewater treatment, effectively.

Chitosan-g-oligo(L,L-lactide) copolymer hydrogel for nervous tissue regeneration in glutamate excitotoxicity: in vitro feasibility evaluation

Over the last decade, a number of hydrogels attracted great attention in the area of brain tissue engineering. The hydrogels are composed of hydrophilic polymers forming 3D network in water. Their function is promoting structural and functional restoration of damaged brain tissues by providing mechanical support and navigating cell fate. This paper reports on the neurocompatibility of chitosan-g-oligo(L,L-lactide) copolymer hydrogel with primary rat cortical neuron culture. The hydrogel was produced by a molding technique on the base of photocurable composition consisting of chitosan-g-oligo(L,L-lactide) copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and photosensitizer Irgacure 2959. The influence of the hydrogel on cell viability, phenotype and calcium homeostasis, mitochondrial potential and oxygen consumption rate in glutamate excitotoxicity was analyzed using primary neuron cultures obtained from a neonatal rat cortex. This study revealed that the hydrogel is non-cytotoxic. Dissociated neonatal rat cortical cells were actively attaching to the hydrogel surface and exhibited the phenotype, calcium homeostasis and mitochondrial function in both standard conditions and glutamate excitotoxicity (100 μM) similar to the control cells cultured without the hydrogel. To conclude, in this study we assessed the feasibility of the application of chitosan-g-oligo(L,L-lactide) copolymer hydrogel for tissue engineering therapy of brain injury in an in vitro model. The results support that the hydrogel is able to sustain realization of the functional metabolic activity of neonatal rat cortical cells in response to glutamate excitotoxicity.

Synthesis and characterization of poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide-co-N-isopropylacrylamide) copolymers

Copolymeric hydrogels of poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide-co-N-isopropylacrylamide), p(NIPMAM/NIPAM), are synthesized by radical polymerization of N-isopropylmethacryl-amide (NIPMAM) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) monomers by using the cross-linker ethylen glycol dimethacrylate (EGDM). The synthesized copolymeric p(NIPMAM/NIPAM) hydrogels, starting monomers and the cross-linker were structurally characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The amounts of residual reactants in the synthesized hydrogels were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Swelling of p(NIPMAM/NIPAM) hydrogels was investigated in relation to the temperature and pH value of the solution. The obtained values of residual monomer quantities are within acceptable limits and in the range from 2.69 to 5.25 mg g-1 for NIPMAM and 14.55 to 30.80 mg g-1 for NIPAM. The synthesized p(NIPMAM/NIPAM) hydrogels are negatively thermosensitive. The most common mechanisms of transport of a swelling solution in p(NIPMAM/NIPAM) hydrogels are polymer chain relaxation, (Case III), and the anomalous type of diffusion (non-Fickian diffusion). The maximal equilibrium swelling degree of 51.19 was reached by the p(NIPMAM/NIPAM) hydrogel with 1.5 mol% of EGDM at the temperature of 25?C and pH 4, whereas the lowest one of 0.98 was exhibited by the hydrogel with 3 mol% of EGDM at the temperature of 80?C and pH 7. Due to their low content of residual reactants and a satisfactory degree of swelling at various pH values, synthesized p(NIPMAM/NIPAM) hydrogels can be applied as carriers for the controlled release of pharmaceutically active substances.

Functionally Tailored Electro-Sensitive Poly(Acrylamide)-g-Pectin Copolymer Hydrogel for Transdermal Drug Delivery Application: Synthesis, Characterization, In-vitro and Ex-vivo Evaluation

Functionally Tailored Electro-Sensitive Poly(Acrylamide)-g-Pectin Copolymer Hydrogel for Transdermal Drug Delivery Application: Synthesis, Characterization, In-vitro and Ex-vivo Evaluation

Pollen-derived porous carbon decorated with cobalt/iron sulfide hybrids as cathode catalysts for flexible all-solid-state rechargeable Zn-air batteries.

The development of flexible all-solid-state rechargeable Zn-air batteries (FS-ZABs) for wearable applications faces challenges from the balance between performance and flexibility of the battery; efficient cathode catalyst and reasonable electrode construction design are key factors. Herein, a low-cost pollen derived N,S co-doped porous carbon decorated with Co9S8/Fe3S4 nanoparticle hybrids (Co-Fe-S@NSRPC) has been synthesized. Owing to the active Co9S8/Fe3S4 nanoparticles, N,S co-doping, and large specific area of the pollen derived porous carbon matrix, the Co-Fe-S@NSRPC composite exhibits an excellent bifunctional catalytic activity with a small potential gap (ΔE = 0.80 V) between the half-wave potential for the ORR (0.80 V) and the potential at 10 mA cm-2 for the OER (1.60 V), and endows a liquid Zn-air battery with a high power density of 138 mW cm-2, a larger specific capacity of 891 mA h g-1 and a stable rechargeability of up to 331 cycles. Based on the Co-Fe-S@NSRPC cathode catalyst, a 2D coplanar FS-ZAB has been fabricated with specially designed parallel narrow strip electrodes alternately arrayed on a polyacrylamide polyacrylic acid copolymer hydrogel solid electrolyte. The presented FS-ZAB exhibits excellent battery performance with high open-circuit-voltage (1.415 V), competitive peak power density (78 mW cm-2), large specific capacity (785 mA h g-1) and stable rechargeability (150 cycles), offers robust flexibility to maintain stable charge/discharge capacity under different bending deformations, and provides convenient coplanar integrability to realize parallel or series connection of multiple cells in a relatively small area.

Lattice Boltzmann simulation of swelling behavior of cylindrical IPN hydrogel tablets

This manuscript presents a computational method based on a multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method to simulate the swelling behavior of cylindrical IPN hydrogel tablets in contact with buffer solutions at different pH and temperature conditions. The simulations were performed by a lattice Bolztmann model for axisymmetric mass diffusion equation using dimensionless measurements of length and mass; therefore, the mass sample estimation at each time step was not linked to the volume of the tablet. Adsorption isotherm tests were carried out using two IPN hydrogel formulations and copolymeric hydrogel formulation at temperatures equal to 298.15 K (25 °C) and 310.15 K (37 °C) and pH equal to 7.49, 4.72 and 8.22. The results show the reliability of the computational model by reproducing with high accuracy the experimental behavior of the hydrogel swelling process. The temperature and pH effect on equilibrium diffusion coefficient was also investigated by the variations on equilibrium diffusion coefficient. According with the state-of-the-art presented in this paper, the literature does not report the use of LBM to simulate this phenomenon in three-dimensional hydrogels; and neither reports were found related IPN hydrogels, nor varying the pH and temperature conditions which modify the diffusion processes.

Gamma Irradiation Induced Preparation of Gum Arabic/ Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Copolymer Hydrogels for Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Wastewater

In this study, the copolymer hydrogel was prepared by copolymerization of gum arabic (GA), Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) using gamma irradiation. The factors affecting the preparation condition of (GA/PVA) copolymer hydrogels such as copolymer composition, copolymer concentration and irradiation dose were investigated. The swelling property of the prepared hydrogels was studied and the results showed that the swelling percent increases with increasing concentration of GA in feed solution and reached an equilibrium time at 6 h. The obtained hydrogels were characterized using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology of the prepared hydrogels was examined by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties of copolymer hydrogel were measured by tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (Eb) and compressive test (CS). The prepared hydrogels can be used for the removal of Cu2+, Co2+, Pb2+and Cd2+ ions from industrial wastewater. The parameters influencing the metal uptake, for example, pH, time, GA content and temperature were investigated. The adsorption of metal ions by hydrogel increases as follow Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Co2+ > Cd2+. The prepared copolymer hydrogel possessed good affinity toward the adsorption of metal ions, which make them acceptable for the treatment of industrial Wastewater from such metal ions.

Expansion of Ion Effects on Water Induced by a High Hydrophilic Surface of a Polymer Network.

The spatial extent and anion-cation cooperativity of the ion effect on the structure and dynamics of water have long been debated but are still controversial. Previously, we experimentally demonstrated the extensive and cooperative effect of ions on water in a polyamide network by measuring the reflection wavelength (λ) on the ion sensor of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogel-immobilized photonic crystals. In the present study, we investigated the influence of the polymer surface on the ion effect by adopting a highly hydrophilic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N-acryloylaza-18-crown-6) hydrogel as a sensor matrix. In alkaline earth metal salt solutions, the copolymer hydrogel membrane sensor showed the redshift of λ for the specific combination of cations and anions, that is, Ca2+/Cl- and Sr2+/NO3-, which resulted from the concerted binding of ion pairs to the copolymer receptor. In alkali metal salt solutions, the ion sensor showed the blueshift of λ originating from the osmotic dehydration suppressed by the salts. The strength of the ion effect was evaluated by the average osmotic pressure (ΠA) required for the salt-inhibited dehydration in the early stage of hydrogel contraction. From the calculation results of ΠA for the copolymer and PNIPAAm hydrogels, it was found that the high hydrophilic copolymer surface more significantly enhanced the ion effect of structure-making cations (i.e., Li+) compared with borderline (Na+) and structure-breaking (K+ and Cs+) cations. Furthermore, the ion effect exhibited the higher ion cooperativity in combination with chloride anions than with nitrate anions. The enhancement of the long-range cooperative ion effect is derived from the expansion of the interactions between ions, water molecules, and the hydrophilic polymer network.

Macroscale superlubricity achieved between zwitterionic copolymer hydrogel and sapphire in water

Achievement of macroscale superlubricity from the hydration effect could provide a potential application for artificial articular cartilage. In this work, two zwitterionic polymers, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA), were used to synthesize a P(MPC-co-SBMA) copolymer hydrogel through the additional polymerization of the alkane carbon-carbon double bond. The incorporation of MPC promoted the water-binding property of copolymer hydrogels as well as improved their anti-compression capability. A superlubricity state with a friction coefficient of approximately 0.002 was achieved when a P(MPC-co-SBMA) copolymer hydrogel hemisphere slid on a sapphire in water, which demonstrated its dependence on sliding velocity, load, and aqueous lubricants. The superlubricity mechanism was mainly attributed to the hydration effect from zwitterionic MPC and SBMA polymer chains, which led to the formation of a uniform hydration layer on the hydrogel surface and the strong adsorption of water molecules on the sapphire surface, which provided additional stabilized hydration layers. These findings might provide insight into the superlubricity mechanism of zwitterionic hydrogels based on the hydration effect, thereby broadening their extensive applications.

Copolymeric Hydrogel-Based Immobilization of Yeast Cells for Continuous Biotransformation of Fumaric Acid in a Microreactor

Although enzymatic microbioreactors have recently gained lots of attention, reports on the use of whole cells as biocatalysts in microreactors have been rather modest. In this work, an efficient microreactor with permeabilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells was developed and used for continuous biotransformation of fumaric into industrially relevant L-malic acid. The immobilization of yeast cells was achieved by entrapment in a porous structure of various hydrogels. Copolymers based on different ratios of sodium alginate (SA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were used for hydrogel formation, while calcium chloride and boric or phenylboronic acid were tested as crosslinking agents for SA and PVA, respectively. The influence of hydrogel composition on physico-chemical properties of hydrogels prepared in the form of thin films was evaluated. Immobilization of permeabilized S. cerevisiae cells in the selected copolymeric hydrogel resulted in up to 72% retained fumarase activity. The continuous biotransformation process using two layers of hydrogels integrated into a two-plate microreactor revealed high space time yield of 2.86 g/(L·h) while no activity loss was recorded during 7 days of continuous operation.

Synthesis and adsorption properties of acrylic acid/styrene binary copolymer resin

In order to improve the adsorption of heavy metals in polyacrylic hydrogels, the experiment uses acrylic acid and styrene as raw materials, potassium per sulfate as initiator, and ethylene glycol as crosslinker to synthesize polyacrylic acid/styrene hydrogel. The effects of monomer ratio, acrylic acid neutralization degree, crosslinker dosage and temperature on product properties were studied by orthogonal test. In addition, the copolymer was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption of heavy metal performance test found that when the ratio of acrylic acid and styrene is 1:0.2, the degree of neutralization is 65%, the crosslinker accounts for 1.0% of the monomer mass fraction, and the temperature is 65 °C, the polyacrylic acid/styrene copolymer hydrogel is optimal. The adsorption of Pb2 + in the optimal group was 328.25 mg/g.

Synthesis and characterization of pH- and thermo-responsive hydrogels based on poly(2-cyclopropyl-2-oxazoline) macromonomer, sodium acrylate, and acrylamide

New graft copolymer hydrogels based on sodium acrylate, acrylamide, and styryl-terminated poly(2-cyclopropyl-2-oxazoline) macromonomer (MM) were synthetized by free radical polymerization using N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as cross-linker. The polymerization was carried out in water at 5 °C and was initiated by sodium peroxodisulfate/N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine. The MM and the hydrogels were characterized by NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. In the hydrogels, the sodium acrylate provided the sensitivity to changes in pH value while the MM provided sensitivity to temperature. In dependence of their composition, the bi-sensitive hydrogels showed conformational transitions with variation of temperature or pH value. This property was shown macroscopically as a hydrogel volume contraction or expansion as it was determined by swelling experiments in water at different pH values and temperatures. Due to phase separation within the hydrogels facilitated by the graft copolymer network structure, both sensitivities could be addressed individually by both triggers and defined swelling states could be addressed over a wide range by adjusting both temperature and pH.

One injection for one-week controlled release: In vitro and in vivo assessment of ultrasound-triggered drug release from injectable thermoresponsive biocompatible hydrogels.

Episodic release of bioactive compounds is often necessary for appropriate biological effects under specific physiological conditions. Here, we aimed to develop an injectable, biocompatible, and thermosensitive hydrogel system for ultrasound (US)-triggered drug release. An mPEG-PLGA-BOX block copolymer hydrogel was synthesized. The viscosity of 15 wt% hydrogel is 0.03 Pa*s at 25 °C (liquid form) and 34.37 Pa*s at 37 °C (gel form). Baseline and US-responsive in vitro release profile of a small molecule (doxorubicin) and that of a large molecule (FITC-dextran), from the hydrogel, was tested. A constant baseline release was observed in vitro for 7 d. When triggered by US (1 MHz, continuous, 0.4 W/cm2), the release rate increased by approximately 70 times. Without US, the release rate returned to baseline. Baseline and US-responsive in vivo release profile of doxorubicin was tested by subcutaneous injection in the back of mice and rats. Following injection into the subcutaneous layer, in vivo results also suggested that the hydrogels remained in situ and provided a steady release for at least 7 d; in the presence of the US-trigger, in vivo release from the hydrogel increased by approximately 10 times. Therefore, the mPEG-PLGA-BOX block copolymer hydrogel may serve as an injectable, biocompatible, and thermosensitive hydrogel system that is applicable for US-triggered drug release.

Injectable Hydrogel through Hydrophobic Grafting on Chitosan for Controlled Drug Delivery.

An injectable hydrogel of chemically modified chitosan has been developed for controlled drug delivery application. Highly hydrophilic chitosan is chemically modified through grafting of ester-diol based polyurethane to transform into hydrogel through hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance. Grafting is confirmed through different spectroscopic techniques such as 13C NMR, UV-visible, and FTIR. Grafted copolymer shows higher contact angle as well as poorer swelling than pure one. Hydrogel of graft copolymer is made in dilute acetic acid medium. Surface morphology of the hydrogel, as investigated through SEM, exhibits an interconnected porous network suitable for drug delivery vehicle. In vitro drug release kinetics reveals that the graft copolymer releases the drug in a sustained manner as compared to the pure one. Two types of model drugs (antibacterial tetracycline hydrochloride and anticancerous doxorubicin hydrochloride) are used for release study to check the control release for various applications. The cytotoxicity of the newly developed hydrogel is accessed using the B16-F10 melanoma cell line, and the hydrogel is found to have a better biocompatible nature than that of pure chitosan. Cellular uptake of drug from graft copolymer hydrogel has considerably increased vis-à-vis pure drug resulting in significant enhancement of cell killing using the developed drug embedded hydrogel system. In vivo gelation study in an animal model verifies that the graft copolymer has the fine ability to be used as an injectable hydrogel for disease control. Hence, the developed graft copolymer has the potential to be used as an injectable hydrogel as a controlled drug delivery vehicle.