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Title: Some practical aspects of preparing polymeric hydrogels via. gamma. -irradiation

Journal Article · · J. Appl. Polym. Sci.; (United States)

A considerable literature covers the preparation and properties of hydrogels for biomedical applications. The failure to emphasize practical problems in these reports should not be taken to imply, however, that such difficulties are absent. The preparative techniques usually involve polymerization or copolymerization in the presence of a crosslinking agent. Bulk polymerization is often used, or, alternatively, reaction in an aqueous medium if the monomers are fairly soluble in water. The present authors are currently studying copolymers made from a very hydrophilic vinyl lactam, a hydrophobic alkyl acrylate, and a hexafunctional methacrylate. The desired properties of the hydrophilic product include (a) optical and textural homogeneity, (b) minimal content of residual monomers and (c) ease of machinability. Bulk copolymerizaton in vacuo at 21/sup 0/C initiated by ..gamma..-irradiation from a /sup 60/Co source is employed. Resolution of certain experimental problems, which arose in this work, should be of interest to others in the field, and this constitutes the theme of the present communication.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Salford, England
OSTI ID:
5341187
Journal Information:
J. Appl. Polym. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 28:7
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English