Hybrid hydrogels based on gelatin and poly(vinyl methyl ether)

• Grant number: 17/25581-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2018
• End date: March 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Maria Isabel Felisberti
• Grantee: Juliana Rodrigues Gesuatto Faria
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/25406-5 - Organizing matter: colloids formed by association of surfactants, polymers and nanoparticles, AP.TEM

Abstract

This project aims the study of hybrid hydrogels based on gelatin and poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) concerning with water swelling capability, temperature responsiveness and mechanical properties. Aqueous solutions of both polymers are thermoresponsives and the heating leads to gel-sol transition of gelatin and gelification of PVME solutions. Hydrogels will be prepared at different mass fraction of the polymers in order to determine the dimensional stability window (composition and temperature range) of the hydrogels. Gelatin and PVME will also be crosslinked using glutaraldehyde and ammonium persulfate as crosslinker. Critical temperatures will be evaluated by DCS and TMA, while mechanical properties will be determined in compression-decompression experiments. The morphology of hydrogels after freeze drying will be study by SEM. (AU)