Hydrogels based on monobasic curdlan phosphate for biomedical applications

Abstract

Novel anionic hydrogels, based on monobasic curdlan phosphate and polyvinyl alcohol, were obtained by physical cross-linking using the freeze-thaw technique. SEM and ATR-IR spectroscopy were used to analyze the morphology and the chemical structure of anionic hydrogels. The main characteristics of these new hydrogels, such as the swelling degree in pure water and phosphate buffer solution with pH 7.4 and the exchange capacity, were determined. These new hydrogels could be used as potential materials for medical applications. Therefore, the swelling behavior was studied and kinetic parameters were calculated. The Ritger Peppas mathematical model highlighted a Fickian transport mechanism and the values obtained for the elastic modulus from mechanical tests recommend these anionic hydrogels as scaffolds for tissue engineering. The anionic hydrogels presented excellent biocompatibility.