Semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels based on poly(methacrylic acid) and natural polymers gelatin, chitosan, and alginate, for potential biomedical applications

Hydrogels, known for their high hydration, porosity, and permeability, are widely studied for biomedical applications. This paper reports on semi-interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogels composed of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) and natural polymers (gelatin, alginate, and chitosan), synthesized via...

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Main Authors: Vukasin Ugrinovic, Andjela Radisavljevic, Maja Markovic, Vesna Panic, Djordje Veljovic
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Society of Chemists and Technologists of Macedonia 2025-05-01
Series:Macedonian Journal of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
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Online Access:https://mjcce.org.mk/index.php/MJCCE/article/view/2999
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author Vukasin Ugrinovic
Andjela Radisavljevic
Maja Markovic
Vesna Panic
Djordje Veljovic
author_facet Vukasin Ugrinovic
Andjela Radisavljevic
Maja Markovic
Vesna Panic
Djordje Veljovic
author_sort Vukasin Ugrinovic
collection DOAJ
description Hydrogels, known for their high hydration, porosity, and permeability, are widely studied for biomedical applications. This paper reports on semi-interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogels composed of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) and natural polymers (gelatin, alginate, and chitosan), synthesized via thermally-induced free-radical polymerization. The resulting hydrogels were evaluated for their physicochemical, mechanical, and drug release properties. Characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and swelling capacity analysis, demonstrated effective integration of natural polymers within the PMA network and their impact on hydrogel performance. PMA's pH sensitivity, combined with natural polymers, supports its suitability for controlled drug delivery and tissue engineering. Mechanical testing showed that adding 40 wt% of gelatin significantly increased the compressive strength from 0.16 MPa in pristine PMA to 2.35 MPa for PMA/gelatin IPN hydrogel and increased the modulus from 0.006 to 0.027 MPa. Chitosan provided moderate mechanical improvements, while alginate showed limited effects at higher concentrations. Swelling analysis revealed that the addition of gelatin and alginate reduced the equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR), suggesting denser crosslinking within the hydrogel matrix. Due to its pH-sensitive properties, chitosan had increased ESR at lower pH levels, showing potential for enhanced drug release modulation. Ciprofloxacin release studies demonstrated ESR-dependent drug release kinetics. These findings suggest that the incorporation of natural polymers, particularly gelatin, optimizes mechanical properties, pH-responsive swelling, and biocompatibility, making these hydrogels promising candidates for controlled drug delivery and tissue engineering applications.
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issn 1857-5552
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publishDate 2025-05-01
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spelling doaj-art-22b23a173f66435780a1e35b898eed5d2025-08-20T03:07:37ZengSociety of Chemists and Technologists of MacedoniaMacedonian Journal of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering1857-55521857-56252025-05-0144110.20450/mjcce.2025.2999Semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels based on poly(methacrylic acid) and natural polymers gelatin, chitosan, and alginate, for potential biomedical applicationsVukasin Ugrinovic0Andjela Radisavljevic1Maja Markovic2Vesna Panic3Djordje Veljovic4Innovation Center of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, SerbiaInnovation Center of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, SerbiaInnovation Center of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, SerbiaInnovation Center of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, SerbiaFaculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia Hydrogels, known for their high hydration, porosity, and permeability, are widely studied for biomedical applications. This paper reports on semi-interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogels composed of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA) and natural polymers (gelatin, alginate, and chitosan), synthesized via thermally-induced free-radical polymerization. The resulting hydrogels were evaluated for their physicochemical, mechanical, and drug release properties. Characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and swelling capacity analysis, demonstrated effective integration of natural polymers within the PMA network and their impact on hydrogel performance. PMA's pH sensitivity, combined with natural polymers, supports its suitability for controlled drug delivery and tissue engineering. Mechanical testing showed that adding 40 wt% of gelatin significantly increased the compressive strength from 0.16 MPa in pristine PMA to 2.35 MPa for PMA/gelatin IPN hydrogel and increased the modulus from 0.006 to 0.027 MPa. Chitosan provided moderate mechanical improvements, while alginate showed limited effects at higher concentrations. Swelling analysis revealed that the addition of gelatin and alginate reduced the equilibrium swelling ratio (ESR), suggesting denser crosslinking within the hydrogel matrix. Due to its pH-sensitive properties, chitosan had increased ESR at lower pH levels, showing potential for enhanced drug release modulation. Ciprofloxacin release studies demonstrated ESR-dependent drug release kinetics. These findings suggest that the incorporation of natural polymers, particularly gelatin, optimizes mechanical properties, pH-responsive swelling, and biocompatibility, making these hydrogels promising candidates for controlled drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. https://mjcce.org.mk/index.php/MJCCE/article/view/2999IPN hydrogelpoly (methacrylic acid)natural polymersdrug release
spellingShingle Vukasin Ugrinovic
Andjela Radisavljevic
Maja Markovic
Vesna Panic
Djordje Veljovic
Semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels based on poly(methacrylic acid) and natural polymers gelatin, chitosan, and alginate, for potential biomedical applications
Macedonian Journal of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
IPN hydrogel
poly (methacrylic acid)
natural polymers
drug release
title Semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels based on poly(methacrylic acid) and natural polymers gelatin, chitosan, and alginate, for potential biomedical applications
title_full Semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels based on poly(methacrylic acid) and natural polymers gelatin, chitosan, and alginate, for potential biomedical applications
title_fullStr Semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels based on poly(methacrylic acid) and natural polymers gelatin, chitosan, and alginate, for potential biomedical applications
title_full_unstemmed Semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels based on poly(methacrylic acid) and natural polymers gelatin, chitosan, and alginate, for potential biomedical applications
title_short Semi-interpenetrating network hydrogels based on poly(methacrylic acid) and natural polymers gelatin, chitosan, and alginate, for potential biomedical applications
title_sort semi interpenetrating network hydrogels based on poly methacrylic acid and natural polymers gelatin chitosan and alginate for potential biomedical applications
topic IPN hydrogel
poly (methacrylic acid)
natural polymers
drug release
url https://mjcce.org.mk/index.php/MJCCE/article/view/2999
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AT andjelaradisavljevic semiinterpenetratingnetworkhydrogelsbasedonpolymethacrylicacidandnaturalpolymersgelatinchitosanandalginateforpotentialbiomedicalapplications
AT majamarkovic semiinterpenetratingnetworkhydrogelsbasedonpolymethacrylicacidandnaturalpolymersgelatinchitosanandalginateforpotentialbiomedicalapplications
AT vesnapanic semiinterpenetratingnetworkhydrogelsbasedonpolymethacrylicacidandnaturalpolymersgelatinchitosanandalginateforpotentialbiomedicalapplications
AT djordjeveljovic semiinterpenetratingnetworkhydrogelsbasedonpolymethacrylicacidandnaturalpolymersgelatinchitosanandalginateforpotentialbiomedicalapplications