Cyclodextrin‐anionic polysaccharide hydrogels: Synthesis,characterization, and interaction with some organic molecules (water pollutants,drugs, proteins)

Hydrogel microparticles have been prepared through cocrosslinking of cyclodextrin and of anionic carboxymethyl or sulfopropyl pullulan with a new bifunctional reagent: 3‐(glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane. This reagent forms crosslinking both through grafting with the epoxy end on the OH polysaccharide and through hydrolysis and condensation of the methoxy silane groups from the other end. Samples of cyclodextrin/anionic polysaccharides with various amounts of crosslinking agent were prepared. Characterization of the hydrogel microparticles considered the water swelling behavior, porosity measurements, retention of biologically active substances, which can occur by their inclusion in cyclodextrin inner cavities and in the pores of hydrogels, as well as through the electrostatic forces toward anionic polyelectrolyte charges. Their improved retention of various organic molecules as water pollutants, drugs, enzymes, recommend them as chromatographic supports, supports for the separation/immobilization of enzymes or for controlled release systems. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009