Anionic starch-based hybrid cryogel-embedded ZnO nanoparticles: tuning the elasticity and pH-functionality of biocomposites with dicarboxylic acid units.

Weakly anionic semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) biocomposites based on starch (ST)-incorporated poly(acrylamide--itaconic acid)/ZnO (ST-PAI/ZnO) were synthesized by a simple one-pot method free radical aqueous polymerization. Hybrid biocomposites exhibited lower equilibrium swelling compared with neat copolymer gel. For both hydrogels and cryogels, swelling followed a decreasing order as copolymer PAI > starch-free PAI/ZnO > ST-PAI/ZnO gels.

Rationally designed chitosan-interpenetrated cryobeads functionalized with polyacrylamide chains: Comparative analysis by Hertzian model and rubber elasticity.

Optimization of the synthesis of polymer microspheres and millimeter-sized gel beads has gained importance due to efficiency and design advantages in applications. A systematic study is presented to allow for a molecular-based understanding of elasticity of crosslinked-chitosan (CS) beads. Unique results were obtained examining the effect of polymerization temperature and gel-preparation form on physico-mechanical properties of CS-incorporated poly (N-isopropylacrylamide‑sodium acrylate)/polyacrylamide, PNIPA/PAAm-CS, beads.

Assessing the compressive elasticity and multi-responsive property of gelatin-containing weakly anionic copolymer gels semi-IPN strategy.

A series of semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogels based on acrylamide (AAm) and itaconic acid (ITA) was prepared in the presence of different amounts of the natural polymer gelatin (GLN). The semi-IPNs were synthesized by simultaneous polymerization using ,'-methylene bisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent. A pH-sensitive system was obtained by adding 2 mol% ITA as an anionic comonomer.