Synthesis of poly(sorbitan methacrylate) hydrogel by free-radical polymerization.
Hydrogels are materials with the ability to swell in water through the retention of significant fractions of water within their structures. Owing to their relatively high degree of biocompatibility, hydrogels have been utilized in a host of biomedical applications. In an attempt to determine the optimum conditions for hydrogel synthesis by the free-radical polymerization of sorbitan methacrylate (SMA), the hydrogel used in this study was well polymerized under the following conditions: 50% (w/v) SMA as monomer, 1% (w/w) alpha, alpha'-azo-bis(isobutyro-nitrile) as thermal initiator, and 1% (w/w) ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-liking agent. Under these conditions, the moisture content of the polymerized SMA hydrogel was higher than in the other conditions. Moreover, the moisture content of the poly(SMA) hydrogel was also found to be higher than that of the poly(methyl methacrylate [MMA]) hydrogel. When the Fourier transform-infrared spectrum of poly(SMA) hydrogel was compared with that of poly(MMA) hydrogel, we noted a band at 1735-1730/cm, which did not appear in the Fourier transform-infrared spectrum of poly(MMA). The surface of the poly(SMA) hydrogel was visualized through scanning electron microscopy, and was uniform and clear in appearance.
Jeong
Gwi-Taek
GT
School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, 500-757, Gwangju, Korea.
Lee
Kyoung-Min
KM
Yang
Hee-Seung
HS
Park
Seok-Hwan
SH
Park
Jae-Hee
JH
Sunwoo
Changshin
C
Ryu
Hwa-Won
HW
Kim
Doman
D
Lee
Woo-Tae
WT
Kim
Hae-Sung
HS
Cha
Wol-Seog
WS
Park
Don-Hee
DH
D005609:Free Radicals; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000737:chemistry*; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011136:Polysorbates / Q000737:chemistry*
D005609:Free Radicals; D020100:Hydrogels; D008689:Methacrylates; D011108:Polymers; D011136:Polysorbates