• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.253-260
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• 2010

In this study, we prepared and evaluated a series of biocompatible and biodegradable block copolymer hydrogels with a delayed swelling property for tissue expander application. The hydrogels were synthesized via a radical crosslinking reaction of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) diacrylate and poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA-PEG-PLGA) triblock copolymer diacrylate as a swelling/degradation controller (SDC). For the synthesis of various SDCs that can lead to different degradation and swelling properties, various PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymers with different LA/GA ratios and different PLGA block lengths were synthesized and modified to have terminal acrylate groups. The resultant hydrogels were flexible and elastic even in the dry state. The in vitro degradation tests showed that the delayed swelling properties of the hydrogels could be modulated by varying the chemical composition of the biodegradable crosslinker (SDC) and the block ratio of SDC/PEG. The histopathologic observation after implantation of hydrogels in mice was performed and evaluated by macrography and microscopy. Any significant inflammation or necrosis was not observed in the implanted tissues. Due to their biocompatibility, elasticity, sufficient swelling pressure, delayed swelling and controllable degradability, the hydrogels could be useful for tissue expansion and other biomedical applications.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.327-333
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• 2005

pH-sensitive hydrogels were studied as a drug carrier for the protection of insulin from the acidic environment of the stomach before releasing it in the small intestine. In this study, hydrogels based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) networks grafted with methacrylic acid (MAA) or acrylic acid (AAc) were prepared via a two-step process. PEO hydrogels were prepared by ${\gamma}-ray $ irradiation (radiation dose: 50 kGy, dose rate: 7.66 kGy/h), grafted by either MAA or AAc monomers onto the PEO hydrogels and finally underwent irradiation (radiation dose: 520 kGy, dose rate: 2.15 kGy/h). These grafted hydrogels showed a pH-sensitive swelling behavior. The grafted hydrogels were used as a carrier for the drug delivery systems for the controlled release of insulin. Drug-loaded hydrogels were placed in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.2) for 2 hr and then in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH 6.8). The in vitro drug release behaviors of these hydrogels were examined by quantification analysis with a UV-Vis spectrophotometer.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.220-224
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• 2014

Protein adsorption kinetics was studied with the amount of proteins adsorbed to contact lens hydrogels over time scales. Hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and silicone hydrogels were dipped in protein solutions (albumin or IgG) and adsorption amounts were measured over time scales. The amount of protein adsorbed to both hydrogel types increased rapidly in 10 min, and remained consistently in 90 min. Decreasing interfacial energetics was taken slowly up to an hour in spite of rapid diffusion of protein molecules. This is due to the fact that water deprivation from three dimensional interphase initially formed by protein diffusion took over an hour. Interpretation of adsorption kinetics on contact lens hydrogels was discussed with understanding of relationship between surface energy and protein adsorption capacity.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.190-195
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• 2012

Interfacial and rheological properties of selected hydrogel formulations were studied to understand the contact-lens comfort in end use. It was concluded that protein adsorption from aqueous solution decreased monotonically with increasing surface energy (water wettability) of tested hydrogels. Also, it has revealed that friction coefficient of polydimethylsiloxane-polyvinylpyrrolidone (PDMS-PVP) was significantly larger that 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) based hydrogels. Interestingly, in artificial tear solution, friction coefficients of HEMA based hydrogels were larger than silicone hydrogels.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.478-485
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• 2013

In this study, hydrogels with fast swelling and high absorbent properties were prepared using biopolymers approved as a food additive and their swelling properties were characterized. To improve the swelling properties of conventional hydrogels, we formed gas bubbles using a foaming agent in the process of preparing hydrogels and characterized in terms of equilibrium swelling ratio, swelling kinetics and cytotoxicity. In particular, alginate hydrogels observed by a digital microscope have an open-pore channels structure with the sizes of hundreds micrometers. Also, the cell viability of all hydrogels were found to be much higher than that of poly(acrylic acid).

• Polymer Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.331-337
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• 2007

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.489-491
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• 2008

See Full Text

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.483-490
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• 2005

A novel, polysaccharide-based, superabsorbent hydrogel was synthesized through crosslinking graft copolymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) onto kappa-carrageenan ($_{k}C$), using ammonium persulfate (APS) as a free radical initiator in the presence of methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker. A proposed mechanism for $_{k}C$­g-polymethacrylic acid ($_{k}C$-g-PMAA) formation was suggested and the hydrogel structure was confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy. The effect of grafting variables, including MBA, MAA, and APS concentration, was systematically optimized to achieve a hydrogel with the maximum possible swelling capacity. The swelling kinetics in distilled water and various salt solutions were preliminarily investigated. Absorbency in aqueous salt solutions of lithium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, and aluminum chloride indicated that the swelling capacity decreased with increased ionic strength of the swelling medium. This behavior can be attributed to the charge screening effect for monovalent cations, as well as ionic crosslinking for multivalent cations. The swelling of super absorbing hydrogels was measured in solutions with pH ranging from 1 to 13. In addition, the pH reversibility and on-off switching behavior, at pH levels of 3.0 and 8.0, give the synthesized hydrogels great potential as an excellent candidate for the controlled delivery of bioactive agents.

• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 2014

Synthesis of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of chitosan-gelatin (Cs-Ge) (as a primary network) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) monomer (as the secondary network) was carried out with different ratio. Its structure was characterized by FT-IR, which indicated that the IPN was formed. The memberanes were studied by swelling, weight loss with time. The interior morphology of the IPN hydrogels was revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM); the IPN hydrogels showed a interpenetrated network of NIPAAm/chitosan has layers with more minute stoma and canals compared to interpenetrated network of NIPAAm/gelatin. Lower critical solution temperature (LCST), equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR) and deswelling kinetics were measured. The DSC results noticed that LCST of IPN hydrogels with different ratio of Cs/Ge/PNIPAAm are around $33{\pm}2^{\circ}C$. The ESR obtained results showed that with a ratio of Cs/Ge/NIPAAm: 1/1/6, the swelling ratio increased drastically from room temperature to $36^{\circ}C$ but with a ratio of Cs/Ge/PNIPAAm: 1/3/6, decrease significantly at the same condition. Therefore the hydrogels have been changed from a hydrophilic structure to a hydrophobic structure. Furthermore with an increase in temperature from room to the LCST, the ESR of IPN with higher concentration of (PNIPAAm) and (Ge) decreases but de-swelling kinetics of them are faster. Due to the suitable and different kinetics of de-swelling and the equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR) in various proportions, and because of the morphology inside the mass which confirms other tests, these hydrogels are very appropriate as a smart thermosensitive hydrogels with rapid response.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.332-336
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• 2011

Hydrogels have been investigated due to their potential in a myriad of applications. The introduction of functional moiety such as sulfide has expanded their applicability. In this study, an investigation was carried out on the introduction of fucoidan into the hydrogels of clay/acrylamide. In the resulting semi-IPN nanocomposite hydrogels, the linear polysaccharide, fucoidan, has strong ionic interactions with clay. It was also confirmed from simple mixing tests that fucoidan can physically crosslink with clay without chemical crosslinks. In the semi-IPN hydrogels, equilibrium swelling ratio increased with the content of fucoidan. Elastic modulus increased with an initial increase in the content of fucoidan, and decreased with a further increase. The work of fracture results of these hydrogels showed their tough properties. These hydrogels could provide functional properties such as mucoadhesiveness with tunable hydrogel characteristics.