Blood protein adsorption onto a polymeric biomaterial of polyethylene glycol and poly[(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐co‐acrylonitrile] and evaluation of in vitro blood compatibility

A semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi‐IPN) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and crosslinked poly[(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐co‐acrylonitrile] was prepared and adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on the IPN surfaces was investigated. The dynamic nature of the adsorption process was studied, and the effects of various experimental factors such as pH and ionic strength on the adsorption isotherms of BSA were investigated. Various kinetic parameters, such as the adsorption coefficient, rate constant for adsorption and penetration rate constants, were calculated. For assessment of in vitro blood compatibility of the IPN surfaces, water sorption, blood clot formation tests and percent hemolysis measurements were performed. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Salt and pH sensitive semi‐interpenetrating polyelectrolyte hydrogels poly(HEMA‐co‐METAC)/PEG and its BSA adsorption behavior

A novel semi‐interpenetrating poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) based polyelectrolyte hydrogel [p(HEMA‐co‐METAC)/PEG] was prepared by copolymerizing HEMA with the cationic monomer 2‐methacryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (METAC) in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different content and molecular weight (MW 4000 and 400). The chemical structure of the gels was confirmed by FT‐IR spectroscopy, morphology study was performed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermal stability was revealed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the mechanical properties were determined by electronic universal testing machine. Swelling studies showed introduction of cationic monomer METAC led to high water content, and the obvious salt and pH sensitive properties were observed which proved the smart behavior of the semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) gels. In addition, the effect of temperature and some important biological solution on swelling behavior were reported. Cytotoxicity test demonstrated that synthesized gels owned satisfactory cytocompatibility and were convenient for the application as biomaterials. Finally, the weak bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption on semi‐IPNs by introducing METAC and controlling the content of PEG in gels demonstrated that they were of good protein resistance effect in biomedical applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41537.     

Poly[(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐co‐(itaconic acid)] hydrogels with poly(ethylene glycol)

The aim of the work reported here was to investigate temperature‐ and pH‐sensitive hydrogels of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and itaconic acid (IA) and their semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs) with varying contents of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The stimuli responsiveness, swelling behaviour and mechanical properties of the hydrogels and semi‐IPNs were studied in order to investigate the effect of various amounts of PEG. Pulsed‐gradient spin‐echo NMR experiments were carried out to investigate the diffusion process. The pH sensitivity increased with an increasing amount of PEG in the semi‐IPNs, while the overall rate of water uptake was diffusion‐controlled (n < 0.5). For certain PEG contents (5 and 10 wt%), the semi‐IPNs exhibited better mechanical properties than the poly(NIPAM‐co‐IA) copolymer. The calculated values of the self‐diffusion coefficients of water indicated facilitated diffusion of water through the system with increased amounts of PEG, while the self‐diffusion coefficients of a model compound, metoprolol tartrate, showed no significant dependence on the amount of PEG. According to the results obtained and compared to results reported in the literature, the investigated semi‐IPNs may have potential applications in the controlled release of macromolecular active agents such as proteins and peptides. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Phase separation in the polyurethane/poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks synthesized by different ways

The thermal, dynamic mechanical analysis, morphology and mechanical properties of semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks based on crosslinked polyurethane (PU) and poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) synthesized by photopolymerization and by thermopolymerization have been investigated. The thermal analysis has evidenced the two glass temperature transitions in the semi‐IPNs and this is confirmed by the thermodynamic miscibility investigation of the systems. The Dynamic Mechanical Analysis spectra have shown that the phase separation is more significant in the thermopolymerized semi‐IPNs: the tan δ peaks of constituent polymers are more distinct and the minimum between the two peaks is deeper. The calculated segregation degree values of semi‐IPN's components are significantly higher for thermopolymerized semi‐IPNs, thereby the process of phase separation in the thermopolymerized semi‐IPNs is more developed. The structures of two series of samples investigated by SEM are completely different. The mechanical properties reflect these changes in structure of semi‐IPNs with increasing amount of PHEMA and with the changing of the method of synthesis. The results suggest that the studied semi‐IPNs are two‐phase systems with incomplete phase separation. The semi‐IPN samples with early stage of phase separation demonstrate higher mechanical characteristics. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel: from a brittle material to a nanofilled semi‐interpenetrating polymer network with potential application in wound dressings

In this work we report the photopolymerization of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) together with a hydrophilic chitosan derivate (carboxymethyl‐chitosan) to yield a semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi‐IPN) that was filled with poly(N‐vinylcaprolactam)/poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate) core–shell nanogels in order to enhance the mechanical properties of the resulting hydrogels. The mechanical properties of the nanofilled semi‐IPNs were found to be more suitable for wound dressing applications than the PHEMA hydrogel as described by dynamic mechanical analysis in dry form and submerged in water. This was evidenced by a higher Young's modulus and higher elongation at break in the semi‐IPNs compared to blank PHEMA hydrogels. Furthermore, when the hydrogels were filled with nanogels, there was an elongation at break similar to that of skin with only a slightly lower Young's modulus. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Radiation synthesis and environmental responsiveness of semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks composed of poly(dimethyl–aminoethyl methacrylate) and poly(ethylene oxide)

Semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs) composed of poly(dimethyl–aminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were synthesized by γ‐radiation; three semi‐IPNs with 80 : 20, 90 : 10, and 95 : 5 weight ratios of DMAEMA/PEO were obtained by use of this technique. The gel–dose curves showed that the hydrogels were characterized by a structure typical of semi‐IPNs and the results of elemental analysis supported this point. The temperature‐induced phase transition of semi‐IPNs with the composition of 95 : 5 was still retained, with the lower critical solution temperature of PDMAEMA shifting from 40 to 27°C. The temperature sensitivity of the other two semi‐IPNs gradually disappeared. The pH sensitivity of three semi‐IPNs was still retained but the pH shifted slightly to lower values with increasing PEO content in the semi‐IPNs. The effect of PEO content in semi‐IPNs on their environmental responsiveness was discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2995–3001, 2004     

Engineering properties of poly(vinyl chloride)–poly(butyl methacrylate) semi‐1 and semi‐2 interpenetrating polymer networks

Semi‐1 and semi‐2 interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and in situ formed poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) have been synthesized using diallyl phthalate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the crosslinkers of PVC and PBMA, respectively. These were then characterized with reference to their mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties. The mechanical and thermal characteristics revealed modification over the unmodified polymeric systems in relation to their phase morphologies. The semi‐1 IPNs displayed a decrease in their mechanical parameters of modulus and UTS while semi‐2 IPNs exhibited a marginal increase in these two values. The semi‐1 IPNs, however, also revealed a decrease in the elongation and toughness values away from the normal behavior. The thermomechanical behavior of both the systems is in conformity with their mechanicals in displaying the softening characteristics of the system and stabilization over unmodified PVC. The DSC thermograms are also correlated to these observations along with the heterogeneous phase morphology which is displayed by both the systems especially at higher concentration of PBMA incorporation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Dynamics of blood proteins adsorption onto poly (2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐silica nanocomposites: Correlation with biocompatibility

A nanocomposite hybrid of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and silica (PHEMA‐Si) was prepared by sol–gel process and characterized by FTIR, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and XRD techniques. The prepared hybrid was evaluated for its water sorption capacity and the adsorption of blood proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) and fibrinogen (Fgn) was carried out on the hybrid surfaces. The dynamic nature of the adsorption process was investigated and related kinetic parameters were evaluated. The effect of factors like concentrations of protein solutions, pH, and ionic strength of the adsorption medium and chemical architecture of the hybrid were investigated on the adsorption process. The prepared hybrids were also examined for in vitro blood compatibility. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation and drug‐release behavior of minocycline‐loaded poly[hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐poly(ethylene glycol)–methacrylate] films

In this work, biocompatible hydrogel matrices for wound‐dressing materials and controlled drug‐release systems were prepared from poly[hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐poly(ethylene glycol)–methacrylate] [p(HEMA‐co‐PEG–MA] films via UV‐initiated photopolymerization. The characterization of the hydrogels was conducted with swelling experiments, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (differential scanning calorimetry), and contact‐angle studies. The water absorbency of the hydrogel films significantly changed with the change of the medium pH from 4.0 to 7.4. The thermal stability of the copolymer was lowered by an increase in the ratio of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to methacrylate (MA) in the film structure. Contact‐angle measurements on the surface of the p(HEMA‐co‐PEG–MA) films demonstrated that the copolymer gave rise to a significant hydrophilic surface in comparison with the homopolymer of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The blood protein adsorption was significantly reduced on the surface of the copolymer hydrogels in comparison with the control homopolymer of HEMA. Model antibiotic (i.e., minocycline) release experiments were performed in physiological buffer saline solutions with a continuous flow release system. The amount of minocycline release was shown to be dependent on the HEMA/PEG–MA ratio. The hydrogels have good antifouling properties and therefore are suitable candidates for wound dressing and other tissue engineering applications. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Miscibility and thermal and dynamic mechanical behaviour of semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyurethane and poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

The thermodynamic miscibility and thermal and dynamic mechanical behaviour of semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs) of crosslinked polyurethane (PU) and linear poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) have been investigated. The free energies of mixing of the semi‐IPN components have been determined by the vapour sorption method and it was established that the parameters are positive and depend on the amount of PHEMA in the semi‐IPN samples. Thermal analyses glass transition temperatures evidenced two in the semi‐IPNs in accordance with the investigation of the thermodynamic miscibility of these systems. Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed a pronounced change in the viscoelastic properties of the PU‐based semi‐IPNs with different amounts of PHEMA in the samples. The semi‐IPNs have two distinct tan δ maxima related to the relaxations of the two polymers in their glass temperature domains. The temperature position of PU relaxation maximum tan δ is invariable but its amplitude decreases in the semi‐IPNs with increasing amount of PHEMA in the systems. The tan δ maximum of PHEMA is shifted to a lower temperature and its amplitude decreases with increasing amount of PU in the semi‐IPNs. The segregation degree of components α was calculated using the viscoelastic properties of semi‐IPNs. It was concluded that the studied semi‐IPNs are two‐phase systems with incomplete phase separation. The different levels of immiscibility lead to the different degree of phase separation in the semi‐IPNs with compositions. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Swelling behavior of semi‐interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(acrylamide‐co‐sodium methacrylate)

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(acrylamide‐co‐sodium methacrylate) poly(AAm‐co‐SMA) were prepared by the semi IPN method. These IPN hydrogels were prepared by polymerizing aqueous solution of acrylamide and sodium methacrylate, using ammonium persulphate/N,N,N¹,N¹‐tetramethylethylenediamine (APS/TMEDA) initiating system and N,N¹‐methylene‐bisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker in the presence of a host polymer, poly(vinyl alcohol). The influence of reaction conditions, such as the concentration of PVA, sodium methacrylate, crosslinker, initiator, and reaction temperature, on the swelling behavior of these IPNs was investigated in detail. The results showed that the IPN hydrogels exhibited different swelling behavior as the reaction conditions varied. To verify the structural difference in the IPN hydrogels, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to identify the morphological changes in the IPN as the concentration of crosslinker varied. In addition to MBA, two other crosslinkers were also employed in the preparation of IPNs to illustrate the difference in their swelling phenomena. The swelling kinetics, equilibrium water content, and water transport mechanism of all the IPN hydrogels were investigated. IPN hydrogels being ionic in nature, the swelling behavior was significantly affected by environmental conditions, such as temperature, ionic strength, and pH of the swelling medium. Further, their swelling behavior was also examined in different physiological bio‐fluids. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 302–314, 2005     

Thermal characterizations of semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks composed of poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)

Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs) synthesized by radical polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) in the presence of PEO. The thermal characterizations of the semi‐IPNs were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dielectric analysis (DEA). The melting temperature (T_m) of semi‐IPNs appeared at around 60°C using DSC. DEA was employed to ascertain the glass transition temperature (T_g) and determine the activation energy (E_a) of semi‐IPNs. From the results of DEA, semi‐IPNs exhibited one T_g indicating the presence of phase separation in the semi‐IPN, and T_gs of semi‐IPNs were observed with increasing PNIPAAm content. The thermal decomposition of semi‐IPNa was investigated using TGA and appeared at around 370°C. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 3922–3927, 2003     

Dynamic‐mechanical behavior of hydrophobic–hydrophilic interpenetrating copolymer networks

Sequential interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were prepared by free‐radical polymerization. One of the components of the IPN was a poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) network, and the other one was a poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) copolymer network. Dynamic‐mechanical experiments show that the IPNs are phase separated: two main α relaxations occur in all samples, the low temperature one corresponding to the PBA network and that appearing at higher temperature due to the copolymer network. The latter shows a shape analogous to a pure poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) network independently of the copolymer composition. The influence of water absorption on the dynamic‐mechanical spectrum shows that only a small amount of water reaches the butyl acrylate segments. The dependence of the mechanical behavior of the poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) copolymer networks with the copolymer composition has been also analyzed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:930–937, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Swelling and diffusion characteristics of novel semi‐interpenetrating network hydrogels composed of poly[(acrylamide)‐ co‐(sodium acrylate)] and poly[(vinylsulfonic acid), sodium salt]

A series of novel semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) composed of poly[(acrylamide)‐co‐(sodium acrylate)] with varying amounts (5, 10, and 15 wt%) of poly[(vinylsulfonic acid), sodium salt] was synthesized. The semi‐IPN hydrogels were characterized by infrared spectroscopy. The swelling behavior of these IPNs was studied in distilled water/physiological solutions/buffer solutions/salt solutions. As the amount of poly[(vinylsulfonic acid), sodium salt] increased in the network, the swelling capacity of the semi‐IPNs increased considerably. The swelling and diffusion characteristics such as water penetration velocity (v), diffusion exponent (n), and diffusion coefficient (D) were calculated in distilled water, as well as in other physiological solutions. The highest swelling capacity was noted in urea and glucose solutions. The semi‐IPN hydrogels followed non‐Fickian diffusion behavior in water and physiological fluids, whereas Fickian behavior was observed in buffer solutions. The stimuli‐responsive characteristics towards physiological fluids, salt concentration, and temperature of these semi‐IPN hydrogels were also investigated. The swelling behavior of the semi‐IPNs decreased markedly with an increase of the concentration of the salt solutions. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermomechanical properties and morphology of interpenetrating polymer networks of polyurethane–poly(methyl methacrylate)

Interpenetrating networks (IPNs) of polybutadiene‐based polyurethane (PU) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were synthesized. The effect of the incorporation of 2% glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2‐HEMA) on the thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of IPNs was investigated. Both 2‐HEMA and GMA led to improvements in these properties. However, 2‐HEMA‐containing IPNs showed somewhat better tensile strength, elongation, and damping characteristics. The morphology of IPNs containing 2‐HEMA showed better mixing of the components. The improvement in the properties was observed for up to 40% PMMA in the IPNs. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms showed the presence of three glass transitions. The third glass‐transition temperature was explained by possible grafting of methyl methacrylate onto PU. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1576–1585, 2002     

Electrical behavior of chitosan and poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel in the contact system

Semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs), as polymer hydrogels composed of chitosan and poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), exhibiting electrical‐sensitive behavior, were prepared. The swelling behavior of the chitosan/PHEMA hydrogels was studied by immersing the gels in various concentrations of aqueous NaCl solution. The electrical responses of the semi‐IPN hydrogel, in applied electric fields, were also investigated. When the semi‐IPN hydrogels were swollen, where one electrode was placed in contact with the gel and the other fixed 30 mm apart from one, they exhibited bending behavior on the application of an electric field on a contact system. The electroresponsive behavior of the present semi‐IPN was also affected by the electrolyte concentration of the external solution. The semi‐IPN also showed various degrees of increased bending behavior depending on the electric stimulus. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 915–919, 2004     

Semi‐ and full‐interpenetrating polymer networks based on polyurethane produced from canola oil and poly(methyl methacrylate)

Semi‐ and full‐interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were prepared using polyurethane (PUR) produced from a canola oil‐based polyol with primary terminal functional groups and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The properties of the material were studied and compared using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile measurements. The morphology of the IPNs was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Semi‐IPNs demonstrated different thermal mechanical properties, mechanical properties, phase behavior, and morphology from full IPNs. Both types of IPNs studied are two‐phase systems with incomplete phase separation. However, the extent of phase separation is significantly more advanced in the semi‐IPNs compared with the full IPNs. All the semi‐IPNs exhibited higher values of elongation at break for all proportions of acrylate to polyurethane compared with the corresponding full IPNs. These differences are mainly due to the fact that in the case of semi‐IPNs, one of the constituting polymers remains linear, so that it exhibits a loosely packed network and relatively high mobility, whereas in the case of full IPNs, there is a higher degree of crosslinking, which restricts the mobility of the chains. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Rheological,mechanical, and morphological studies of epoxy/poly(methyl methacrylate) semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks

Semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs) of epoxy resin and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were synthesized. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) was polymerized by free radical mechanism with azo‐bis‐isobutyronitrile in the presence of oligomeric epoxy resin (DGEBA), and hexahydrophthalic anhydride as crosslinking agent. The gelation and vitrification transitions during cure/polymerization processes have been examined using parallel‐plates rheological technique. From differential scanning calorimetry and rheological techniques, it was suggested that both curing and polymerization processes occur simultaneously. However, the gelation time was longer for the semi‐IPN than those observed for the cure of pure DGEBA or polymerization of MMA. The gelation time increased significantly when 5% of MMA was employed, suggesting a diluent effect of the monomer. Higher amount of MMA resulted in a decrease of gel time, probably because of the simultaneous polymerization of MMA during the curing process. Structural examination of the semi‐IPNs, using scanning electron microscopy, revealed phase separation in nanoscale size for semi‐IPNs containing PMMA at concentrations up to 15%. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

Thermal and pH dual‐responsive hydrogels based on semi‐interpenetrating network of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) and collagen nanofibrils

Hydrogels with environment‐sensitive properties have great potential applications in the controlled drug release field. In this paper, hybrid hydrogels with semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPNs), composed of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) as the thermo‐sensitive component by in situ polymerization and self‐assembled collagen nanofibrils as the pH‐sensitive framework, were prepared for controlled release of methyl violet as a model drug. From Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, it was indicated that the crosslinking of PNIPAM in the presence of collagen nanofibrils led to the formation of semi‐IPNs with homogeneous porous structure, and the semi‐IPNs showed improved thermal stability and elastic properties compared with the native collagen as determined using differential scanning calorimetry and rheologic measurements. Furthermore, the semi‐IPNs possessed swelling behaviors quite different from those of neat collagen or PNIPAM hydrogel under various pH values and temperatures. Correspondingly, as expected, the drug release behavior in vitro for semi‐IPNs performed variously compared with that for single‐component semi‐IPNs, which revealed the tunable performance of semi‐IPNs for release ability. Finally the thermo‐ and pH‐responsive mechanism of the semi‐IPNs was illuminated to provide guidance for the application of the thermo‐ and pH‐sensitive collagen‐based hybrid hydrogels in controlled drug delivery systems. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Structure–properties investigations in hydrophilic nanocomposites based on polyurethane/poly(2–hydroxyethyl methacrylate) semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks and nanofiller densil for biomedical application

Nanocomposites based on sequential semi–interpenetrating polymer networks (semi–IPNs) of crosslinked polyurethane and linear poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) filled with 1–15 wt % of nanofiller densil were prepared and investigated. Nanofiller densil used in an attempt to control the microphase separation of the polymer matrix by polymer–filler interactions. The morphology (SAXS, AFM), mechanical properties (stress–strain), thermal transitions (DSC) and polymer dynamics (DRS, TSDC) of the nanocomposites were investigated. Special attention has been paid to the raising of the hydration properties and the dynamics of water molecules in the nanocomposites in the perspective of biomedical applications. Nanoparticles were found to aggregate partially for higher than 3 and 5 wt % filler loading in semi–IPNs with 17 and 37 wt % PHEMA, respectively. The results show that the good hydration properties of the semi–IPN matrix are preserved in the nanocomposites, which in combination with results of thermal and dielectric techniques revealed also the existence of polymer–polymer and polymer–filler interactions. These interactions results also in the improvement of physical and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites in compare with the neat matrix. The improvement of mechanical properties in combination with hydrophilicity and biocompatibility of nanocomposites are promising for use these materials for biomedical application namely as surgical films for wound treatment and as material for producing the medical devises. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43122.