Radiation synthesis and characterization of stimuli-sensitive chitosan-polyvinyl pyrrolidone hydrogels

Novel cationic hydrogels were synthesized by gamma-irradiation copolymerization of chitosan and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). The synthesis regularities and the swelling behaviour of hydrogels have been studied. It was shown that increasing of PVP concentration in feed composition also as radiation dose accompanied of increase of yield of gel fraction and decrease of swelling degree. At dose more than 3.5 kGy increasing of swelling degree and decreasing of gel fraction yield have been observed. It was shown that the hydrogels exhibit pH-sensitive behaviour in aqueous solution. In solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) the hydrogels are collapsed due to complexation, however, at concentration of SDS solution equal to critical micelle concentration the gels contracted and then swollen again. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.