Abstract

Swelling and salt responsive studies of biocomposite hydrogels via solventless green approach

Author(s): D.S.Franklin, S.Guhanathan

Hydrogels are three-dimensional, hydrophilic, water insoluble polymeric networks with interesting stimuli sensitive behavior (pH, temperature, light etc.,). pH sensitive biocomposite hydrogelswere synthesized by using citric acid (CA) and acrylic acid (AA) with ethylene glycol (EG) stated as ACEHA via a two- step condensation polymerization process towards a solvent- free green approach. Hydroxyapatite (HA) prepared from waste eggshells were added with the biopolymeric hydrogels of (ACE) resulted as biocomposite hydrogels. The formations of various hydrogels were confirmed using spectral techniques like FT-IR. The swelling experiments were achieved in different pH–buffer solutions at room temperature (4.0-10.0). SEM analysis further supported the morphology and the swelling behavior of synthesized biocomposite hydrogels. The swelling equilibrium for various hydrogen were also being accomplished. The swelling capability of hydrogels was also restrained in various salt solutions (NaCl, CaCl2 and AlCl3). Hence, the biocomposite hydrogels could also be an excellent candidate for drug delivery systems, hygienic products, agrochemical release etc.