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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Bioproducts Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #233500
Title: Physicochemical and morphological properties of poly (acrylamide) and methylcellulose hydrogels: rffects of monomer, crosslinker and polysaccharide compositions, polymer engineering and science

Author
item AOUADA, FAUZE AHMAD - EMBRAPA, BRAZIL
item Chiou, Bor-Sen
item Orts, William
item MATTOSO, LUIZ - EMBRAPA, BRAZIL

Submitted to: Polymer Engineering & Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/5/2009
Publication Date: 12/10/2009
Citation: Aouada, F., Chiou, B., Orts, W.J., Mattoso, L.H. 2009. Physicochemical and morphological properties of poly (acrylamide) and methylcellulose hydrogels: rffects of monomer, crosslinker and polysaccharide compositions, polymer engineering and science. Polymer Engineering & Science. 49(12):2467-2474.

Interpretive Summary: Novel hydrogels were synthesized using a synthetic polymer and methylcellulose. A wide range of properties were obtained by varying the concentrations of the synthetic polymer and methylcellulose. The results indicate that these hydrogels can potentially be used for controlled release of agrochemicals and drugs as well as other biomedical applications.

Technical Abstract: This paper describes the physicochemical (mechanical and swelling) and morphological characterization of poly (acrylamide) and methylcellulose (PAAm-MC) hydrogels synthesized with different formulations by the free radical polymerization method. The structure-property relationship of the PAAm-MC hydrogels is very important for application of these materials in different fields. Results showed that the properties of the PAAm-MC hydrogels can be controlled by varying the acrylamide (AAm) and N’, N-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBAAm) concentrations and methylcellulose (MC) content. Increase of AAm and MBAAm concentrations causes a pronounced decrease in swelling degree (SD) values and porosity, and an increase in mechanical properties. Increasing the MC concentration caused an increase in SD values and porosity, but decrease in maximum load and modulus of elasticity because of the increase in the hydrogel hydrophilicity due to incorporation of hydroxyl groups from MC chains. PAAm-MC hydrogels are excellent candidates for several applications, such as matrices for cell transplantation, controlled release (agrochemicals and drugs), tissue repair and regeneration.