Enhanced radiation crosslinking of carboxymethylated chitosan in the presence of acids or polyfunctional monomers

Carboxymethylated chitosan (CMCt) hydrogels were synthesized by gamma-ray radiation-induced crosslinking in the presence of acids or polyfunctional monomers. Compared with that of CMCt hydrogels synthesized without additives, the gel fraction was improved and the gelation dose was decreased obviously after incorporating acids or polyfunctional monomers into CMCt hydrogels. The diffusion behavior of water in the CMCt gels prepared at different conditions was Fickian diffusion, and the swelling of the CMCt gels displayed characteristic pH sensitivity, which was analyzed by fluorescence molecular probes. Preliminary mechanism of radiation-induced crosslinking of CMCt in the presence of acids or polyfunctional monomers was discussed based on the FTIR and sol-gel analysis. Furthermore, it was found that CMCt hydrogels were hydrodegradable with high temperature (>60 degrees C), and incorporating polyfunctional monomers into the CMCt hydrogels also could improve the thermal stability of the CMCt hydrogels obviously. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.