Synthesis of highly swellable hydrogels of water-soluble carboxymethyl chitosan and poly(ethylene glycol)

[EN] Highly swellable hydrogels were produced by crosslinking of high molecular weight carboxymethylated chitosan (CmCHT) with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) oligomers. The hydrogel swelling capacity could be controlled via the crosslinking density and ranged from 900% to 5600%. The hydrogels showed good homogeneity with a high interconnected porosity in the swollen state and with nanodomains rich in CmCHT and others rich in PEG diglycidyl ether. Oscillatory frequency sweep analysis showed a storage modulus of 27kPa for the hydrogel with the highest crosslinking density, which together with the exhibited enzyme degradability with lysozyme at 59days indicate that these hydrogels have potential use in delivery systems or soft tissue regeneration.The authors acknowledge the support of the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, MINECO, through the MAT2016-76039-C4-1-R project. Maria Amparo Gamiz Gonzalez acknowledges a BES-2011-044740 grant. CIBER-BBN is an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&i Plan 2008-2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program, CIBER Actions, and financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund. The authors acknowledge the assistance and advice of the Electron Microscopy Service of the UPV.Gámiz González, MA.; Edlund, U.; Vidaurre Garayo, AJ.; Gómez Ribelles, JL. (2017). Synthesis of highly swellable hydrogels of water-soluble carboxymethyl chitosan and poly(ethylene glycol). Polymer International. 66(11):1624-1632. https://doi.org/10.1002/pi.542416241632661