Synthesis of Chemically Cross-Linked Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose Hydrogels and their Application in Controlled Release of 5-Amino Salicylic Acid

The objective of this study was to achieve the colon-specific delivery of an anti-ulcerative colitis drug using hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) hydrogels. HPMC hydrogels containing poly ethylene glycol (PEG) as cross-links have been prepared by reacting HPMC sodium salt with polyethylene glycol dichloride.

The effect of cross-linking agent on swelling behavior of HPMC-PEG hydrogels, were investigated. Swelling parameters such as equilibrium degree of swelling, swelling ratio and network parameter such as molecular mass between cross-links (M_c) were determined. The cross-linking concentrations were 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% (based on weight of HPMC). The equilibrium swelling ratio (Q) of cross-linked HPMC hydrogels increases from 13.2 to 27.1 as the cross-linker percentage increases from 0.5% to 2%. 5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) was used as a model of an anti-inflammatory drug. Cross-linked HPMC hydrogels were found to be a promising drug delivery system for the drugs to be delivered to the colon.     

Advanced Functional Materials Constructed from Pillar[n]arenes

Pillar[n]arenes are new generation of supramolecular macrocyclic host, which exhibit excellent host−guest recognition properties. In the last decade, functional materials constructed from pillar[n]arenes have been attracted more and more attention and displayed outstanding characteristics, such as stimuli-responsiveness, self-healing and adaptability. In this mini-review, we provide a survey of the pillar[n]arene-based literatures covering light-harvesting systems, functional hydrogels, and solid materials. It is anticipated that more and more pillar[n]arenes-based advanced materials with multi-functional properties will appear in the near future.     

The Microstructure and Gelling Mechanism of Thermo-responsive Chitosan Hydrogel System

Thermo-respansive chitosan hydrogel system （TRCHS） was prepared and its mierostructure was investigated by scaning electron microscope （SEM） and mercury intrusion poremaster （MIP）. Based on analyzing the data, a special porosity property was reported at the first time. Its gelling mechanism was studied by a group of contrast experiments. Results may provide experimental and theoretical supports for how to apply it on tissue engineering scaffold and how to influeuee or control its essential properties.     

UNIQUAC法预报N-异丙基丙烯酰胺凝胶在乙醇水溶液中的溶胀行为

以N-异丙基丙烯酰胺(NIPAAm)为单体,合成了NIPAAm均聚凝胶。研究了25℃时它们在乙醇水溶液中的溶胀平衡。实验发现：当乙醇浓度约为12％时,少量乙醇的进一步加入将使溶涨的凝胶突然剧烈收缩,表明NIPAAm凝胶在乙醇水溶液中有不连续体积相变。随着乙醇不断加入,凝胶又重新溶涨。结合“自由体积”概念,利用UNIQUAC模型的关联和预报了NIPAAm凝胶在乙醇-水溶液中的这种溶涨行为。     

新型聚丙烯酰胺/碳纤维/石墨导电水凝胶的制备

以N,N'-亚甲基双丙烯酰胺为交联剂,过硫酸钾为引发剂,丙烯酰胺为单体,碳纤维与石墨为导电填料,采用水溶液聚合法制备了聚丙烯酰胺/碳纤维/石墨高吸水性复合材料,吸水后形成导电水凝胶.考察了交联剂用量、引发剂用量、单体浓度、反应温度、吸水倍率及导电填料用量对凝胶电导率的影响.实验结果表明,当交联剂用量为0.06%(质量分数),引发剂用量为1.0%(质量分数),单体浓度为50%(质量分数),反应温度为80℃,导电填料为35%(质量分数)时,水凝胶的电导率最高可达4.32mS/cm.并采用FTIR及SEM对样品结构及形貌进行表征.     

模糊数学在IPN型水凝胶合成中的应用

以聚乙烯醇(PVA),丙烯酰胺(AM)和丙烯酸(AA)为原料,以过硫酸铵为引发剂,采用水溶液聚合法合成了互穿网络水凝胶,并对其吸水性、抗盐性和抗温性等性能指标进行了研究,根据正交设计,运用模糊数学的理论和方法处理实验数据,指出影响凝胶吸水率性能指标的显著因素为单体质量比和交联剂Ⅱ用量,影响凝胶抗盐性的显著因素为单体质量比和PVA用量;影响凝胶抗温性的显著因素为引发剂用量和单体用量确定了不用情况下最佳合成条件及配方.     

Alginate fibres: an overview of the production processes and applications in wound management

Alginate fibers are made from sodium alginate, which is a natural polymer extracted from brown seaweeds. Over the last two decades, alginate fibers have become well established in the wound management industry where their ion‐exchange and gel‐forming abilities are particularly useful for the treatment of exuding wounds. In order to deliver functional performances for advanced wound management products, many improvements have been made in recent years to enhance the absorption and gel‐forming capabilities and the anti‐microbial properties of alginate fibers. In addition, attempts have been made to use alginate fibers as a carrier to deliver zinc, silver and other active ingredients that are beneficial to wound healing. This paper reviews the development in the production of various fibers from alginate, and summarizes the production processes for calcium alginate, calcium/sodium alginate, sodium alginate, zinc alginate, silver alginate and other types of alginate fibers containing novel functional ingredients. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of structural variables on AUL and rheological behavior of SAP gels

The swelling properties of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) under real conditions are extremely important for selecting the material suitable for a given application, e.g. feminine napkin or agriculture. This new practical research represents deeper synthetic and physicochemical studies on the structure–property relation in acrylic SAP hydrogels and composites. Thus, the values of saline‐absorbency under load (AUL; a measurable simulation of the real circumstances of SAP applications, at pressures 0.3–0.9 psi) were measured for the SAP or SAP composite samples prepared under different conditions, i.e. type and content of crosslinker, type and concentration of initiator, percentage of inorganic filler (kaolin), and type and percentage of porosity generators. The samples were subsequently used to determine the rheological and morphological characteristics. Dynamic storage modulus (G′) measurements were carried out at constant strain in a wide range of frequency. Linear correlations were frequently found to be active between AUL and G′ data over the rubber‐elastic plateau. Thus, for a given SAP: AUL = k_totalG′ + C. The coefficient k total is a function of (nature and content of crosslinker, initiator, inorganic component, particle morphology, etc.). Therefore, the easily measured AUL values could be simply correlated to the main synthesis variables and molecular structure of SAP gels through a rheological material function (G′). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009