Gamma Irradiated Synthesis of Polyethylene Oxide (PEO)-N, N-Dimethyacrylamide (DMA) Hydrogel and Chitosan

Abstract

Hydrogel which can swell rapidly and retain large volumes of water in their swollen structure have shown a significant contribution for wound healing. More recently, hydrogel synthesized by radiation polymerization and grafting have been reported which did not require any crosslinking agent. In this study, Crosslinked Poly ethylene oxide (PEO) / N, N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) hydrogel containing chitosan for wound dressing has been prepared by gamma radiation technique. Chitosan solutions with different concentration (0.5-1.5%,10%) have been blended with 5% aqueous solution of Poly ethylene oxide, N, N-dimethylacrylamide and irradiated at the doses 5-20 kGy by gamma rays. The copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and their physical chemical properties of hydrogels were evaluated in terms of gel fraction, swelling ratio, elongation at break and mechanical properties (tensile Strength). It was found that under maximum condition of incorporation 1% chitosan with irradiation dose of 10 kGy, Poly ethylene oxide - N, N-dimethylacrylamide -chitosan hydrogels with high gel fraction (80%), swelling ratio (4152%) and elongation at break (110%) were obtained.