• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.262-268
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• 2013

pH-sensitive P(MAA-co-PEGMA) hydrogel particles were prepared and their feasibility as smart delivery carriers for cosmetic ingredients was evaluated. P(MAA-co-PEGMA) hydrogel particles having an average size of approx. $2{\mu}m$ were synthesized via dispersion photopolymerization. There was a drastic change in the swelling ratio of P(MAA-co-PEGMA) particles at a pH of around 5 due to the ionization of MAA in the hydrogel and as the amount of MAA in the hydrogel increased, the swelling ratio increased at a pH above 5. The P(MAA-co-PEGMA) hydrogel particles showed a pH-sensitive release behavior. Thus, at pH 4 almost none of the albumin permeated through the skin while at pH 6 relatively high skin permeability was obtained. The albumin loaded in the P(MAA-co-PEGMA) hydrogel particles was hardly degraded in the presence of pepsin and its stability was maintained.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.234-237
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• 2011

This paper presents a study into pH Indicator-Embedded hydrogel micro-particles which are encoded various shapes according to the captured indicator. We incorporate various pH indicators into a photo-curable hydrogel, PEG-DA(Poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate). Using the latest fluidic lithography techniques, we can easily fabricate variously patterned hydrogel particles based on in-situ photopolymerization of the PEG-DA in a micro-fluidic channel. The shape of the particle is related to the pH indicator inside the particle. We demonstrate that the micro pH sensors change their colors according to the pH levels. The micro pH sensors have various characteristics that are related to the curing time, particle size, etc. By changing these conditions, we can adjust the long term stability and reaction time of the hybrid micro pH sensors.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2022

Di-tyrosine photo-crosslinking of silk fibroin (SF) is recently highlighted as a biocompatible hydrogel fabrication process, because this method does not need potentially harmful chemical species. However, the resulting crosslinking density is often insufficient to obtain a mechanically stiff hydrogel unless additional oxygen is provided during the reaction. In this study, we proposed a combinational crosslinking method to form an SF hydrogel via the di-tyrosine photo-crosslinking with riboflavin (photoinitiator) and physical interaction of SF chains. In the UV light-irradiated SF solution, small particles formed and these particles promoted β-sheet formation of SF molecules, resulting in quick gelation. The di-tyrosine photo-crosslinking produced nuclei that might trigger regular assembly of SF molecules in high temperature condition. Conclusively, this process would contribute to a development of biocompatible hydrogel fabrication for biomedical uses of SF hydrogels.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.441-445
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• 2009

In order to develop an intelligent delivery system for cosmetic active agents (e.g., arbutin, ascorbic acid, and adenosine), pH-responsive P(MAA-co-PEGMA) hydrogel particles having an average size of approx. $2{\mu}m$ and spherical shape were synthesized via dispersion photopolymerization. There was a drastic change in the swelling ratio of P (MAA-co-PEGMA) hydro gels at a pH 5, which is the $pK_a$ of the hydrogel. To determine the factors that have an effect on the loading of cosmetic active agents into the hydrogel, the loading efficiency of the active agents was investigated at various MAA and EG compositions of the hydrogel and the loading pH conditions. When the MAA contents in the hydrogel decreased, the loading efficiency of the active agents increased. In loading experiments with different pH conditions, the active agents showed higher loading efficiency into the hydrogel at the pH where the hydrogel was at the swollen state than at the pH where the electrostatic repulsion was minimized.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.353-357
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• 2010

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be used in the areas such as integrate circuit, cell electrode and antimicrobial deodorant. In this study, AgNPs have been prepared by using $AgNO_3$ aqueous solution in the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) hydrogel. CMC powders were dissolved in deionized water, and then irradiated by a gamma-ray with a radiation dose of 50 kGy to make CMC hydrogel. CMC hydrogels were dipped into $1.0{\times}10^{-2}M$ $AgNO_3$ solution for 1 hour. After that, the swollen hydrogels were irradiated by gamma-ray for the formation of AgNPs. The characteristics of silver nanoparticles in the CMC hydrogels were monitored by UV-Vis and the morphological study and dispersed coefficient of particles were investigated by FE-SEM/EDX. It was observed that the sodium salt in the CMC is crucial to the formation of silver nanoparticle. Finally, antibacterial tests indiacted that the hydrogel containing silver nanoparticle has antibacterial activity.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.421-426
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• 2008

pH-responsive P(MAA-co-EGMA) hydrogel microparticles were synthesized via dispersion photo polymerization and the feasibility of the particles as the cosmetic formulation was investigated. Rh-B and the functional materials for the cosmetic application such as ascorbic acid, adenosine, EGCG, and arbutin were loaded in the P (MAA-co-EGMA) hydrogel microparticles in order to examine the interaction between the hydrogel and the loaded materials. In the loading experiments, Rh-B showed the highest loading efficiency to the P(MAA-co-EGMA) hydrogels due to the electrostatic attraction between the negative charge of the hydrogels and the positive charge of Rh-B at the ionized states. However, the functional materials showed relatively low loading efficiencies because of the electrostatic repulsions between the negative charges of both the hydrogels and the materials at the ionized states. In addition, P(MAA-co-EGMA) hydrogel microparticles showed pH-responsive release behavior of Rh-B according to the external pH changes.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2022

Hydrogels have gained considerable attention in various fields due to their easily transformative ability by different stimulation. In addition, metal-based conductive additives can enable the hydrogels to be conductive with dimension change. Although the development of the additives offered enhanced electrical properties to the hydrogels, correspondingly enhanced mechanical properties may limit the volume and electrical properties switching after stimulation. Here we prepared poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) thermo-responsive hydrogel that has a 32℃ of low critical solution temperature and added liquid metal particles (LMPs) as conductive additives, possessing soft and stretchable benefits. The LMPs enabled PNIPAM (PNIPAM/LMPs) hydrogels to be constricted over 32℃ with a high volume switching ratio of 15.2 when deswelled. Once the LMPs are spontaneously oxidized in hydrogel culture, the LMPs can release gallium ions into the hydrogel nature. The released gallium ions and oxidized LMPs enhanced the modulus of the PNIPAM/LMPs hydrogel, triggering high mechanical stability during repeated swelling/deswelling behavior. Lastly, highly constricted PNIPAM/LMPs hydrogel provided a 5x10⁶ of electrical switching after deswelling, and the switching ratio was closely maintained after repeated swelling/deswelling transformation. This study opens up opportunities for hydrogel use requiring thermo-responsive and high electrical switching fields.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.493-499
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• 2007

Polymeric hydrogel particles were fabricated to demonstrate the scale-up possibilities with the Particle Replication In Non-wetting Templates (PRINT) process. A permanently etched, specifically designed master was made on a silicon wafer using conventional photolithography, then reactive ion etching. The master and substrate were used repeatedly to make a large number of identical elastomeric perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) replica molds. The PFPE replica molds were used to fabricate and harvest individual, monodisperse micron-sized particles using the PRINT process. A water-soluble polymer adhesive was used as a sacrificial layer for harvesting particles. Particles were composed of biodegradable poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-diA), and aminoethylacrylate (AEM) and 2-acryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (AETMAC) were added to them for improving the uptake of the cells. This study suggested PRINT used to produce the uniformed and shape specific biodegradable polymer is the effective technique for the non viral vector for the drug and the gene delivery.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.39-47
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• 2006

Incorporation of bioactive compounds such as vitamins, probiotics, bioactive peptides, and antioxidants into Nutrient Delivery System (NDS) for 'nanofood' provides simple way to develop novel functional foods that may have physiological benefits or reduce risks of diseases. As vital nutrient in nanofood, proteins possess unique functional properties including ability to form gels and emulsions, which allow them to be ideal nanofood materials for encapsulation of bioactive compounds. Based on protein physico-chemical properties, this review describes potential role of nanofood materials for development of NDS in hydrogel form, micro-or nano-particles. Applications of these nanofood materials to protect delivery-sensitive nutraceutical compounds are illustrated, and impacts of particle size on release properties are emphasized.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2011

Silver nano-particles (AgNPs) have attracted much attention for centuries due to their unique optical properties, electrical conductivities, oxidative catalysis, and antibacterial effect. In this study, AgNPs have been prepared by using aqueous $AgNO_3$ solution in the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels. PVA and PEG powders were dissolved in deionized water, and then irradiated by a gamma-ray with a radiation dose of 50 kGy to make hydrogels. PVA/PEG hydrogels were dipped into $1.0{\times}10^{-2}M$ $AgNO_3$ solution for 1 hour. After that, the swollen hydrogels were irradiated by gamma-ray for the formation of AgNPs. FE-SEM is used to observe the formation of AgNPs as a function of the content of PEG and the irradiation dose. Also, AgNPs in the PVA/PEG hydrogels were monitored by UV-Vis. It is observed that the content of PEG and gamma-ray irradiation in the hydrogel is crucial to the formation of AgNPs. Finally, antibacterial tests indiacted that the hydrogel containing silver nanoparticle has antibacterial activity.