Student: Mohammad Alobaid
Committee: Dr. Kaushal Rege and Dr. Arul Varman
Abstract:
Recent advancements in photo cross-linking chemistry have introduced new techniques for the synthesis of hydrogel films that are commonly used in wound and tissue sealing applications. In this work, the swelling behavior of chitosan-methacrylate (Chima) and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMa)/chitosan (CHS)/silk fibroin (SF)/ hydrogels will be investigated along with an ex vivo analysis of GelMa/CHS/SF hydrogel film on porcine skin. Both hydrogels were cross-linked via free-radical polymerization in the presence of visible light, which involved using eosin Y as a photoinitiator, Triethanolamine (TEA) as co-photoinitiator, and N-Vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) as a monomer. The cross-linking time for chima hydrogel was varied at 1, 3, and 5 minutes, while it was maintained for GelMa/CHS/SF hydrogel at 10 minutes. At 1 minute, Chima hydrogel was rapidly expanded to 200%, whereas at 3 and 5 minutes, the expansion trended similarly at a maximum ratio of 120% and 127% respectively. Nine groups of GelMa/CHS/SF hydrogels were synthesized based on multiple weight ratios. The ultimate tensile strength of 1, 2, 6, 8, and 9 hydrogel films groups was measured, where the highest and lowest ultimate tensile strength was obtained for groups 8 and 2 at values of 19.27±7.25 kPa, and 5.38±2.23 kPa, respectively. On the other hand, the swelling ratio of groups 2 and 6 was tested, and both groups had similar swelling behavior with 5.8% average difference. It is recommended to perform a swelling ratio test on Chima hydrogel to have a precise interpretation of the degradation behavior and the pH effect on the hydrogel’s adhesive properties. In addition, the hydrogel films must be properly lasered to obtain more accurate characterizations of the mechanical properties and minimize the induced error.
Zoom Room:https://asu.zoom.us/j/84623032546
Presentation Time: 12:00-1:00 PM (Arizona Time)
