polysaccharide-based hydrogels the key role of water in affecting mechanical propertiespolysaccharide-based水凝胶水影响机械性能的关键作用.pdfVIP

Polymers 2012, 4, 1517-1534; doi:10.3390/polym4031517 OPEN ACCESS polymers ISSN 2073-4360 /journal/polymers Article Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogels: The Key Role of Water in Affecting Mechanical Properties Daniela Pasqui, Milena De Cagna and Rolando Barbucci * Interuniversity Research Centre for Advanced Medical Systems (C.R.I.S.M.A.), Viale Matteotti 15, Colle di Val d’Elsa Siena 53034, Italy; E-Mails: pasqui3@unisi.it (D.P.); milena.decagna@virgilio.it (M.D.C.) * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: rolando.barbucci@unisi.it; Tel.: +39-0577-900-327; Fax: +39-0577-900-322. Received: 20 July 2012; in revised form: 27 July 2012 / Accepted: 1 August 2012 / Published: 21 August 2012 Abstract: Different hydrogels were prepared starting from natural or semi-synthetic polysaccharides (carboxymethylcellulose, hyaluronic acid and chitosan) which were cross-linked by the addition of a cross-linking agent chosen according to the chemical groups present along the polymer chains. The cross-linking reaction allows for the formation of a three-dimensional network made of covalent bonds between the polymer chains, which is stable under physiological conditions. The presence of a substantial amount of water within the polysaccharide matrices makes such systems unique among hydrophilic gels. Water itself is responsible for some of their peculiar characteristics, one of