Hydrogels, three-dimensional cross-linked polymers, have been the subject of intense research in recent times. Chitosan is one of the most widely used polysaccharides for the preparation of hydrogels, as it has many of the properties we wish in our hydrogel. One possibility for the formation of chitosan-based hydrogels is also electrodeposition, a technique in which cross-linking is initiated at the electrodes by inducing an electric voltage. Several types of electrodepositions are known in which the hydrogel is formed either at the anode or at the cathode. Chitosan is able to form hydrogels on both, but the hydrogels obtained on the anode are much more homogeneous and stable. I tried to make hydrogels myself by preparing two different solutions, one with acetic acid and one with hydrochloric acid. With each solution, I varied the conditions, such as the electrodeposition time, the electric current density, and the material of the electrodes used, and then I studied how these changes affected the thickness and structure of the resulting hydrogels. Finally, I also added salt to each solution and studied its effect on the formation of hydrogels.
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