Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymer networks that can absorb and retain large amounts of water. They are functional materials suitable for use in several fields due to their good properties and biocompatibility, especially in the biomedical field. In my thesis, I was involved in the preparation and characterization of hydrogels prepared from TEMPO oxidized nanocellulose. As part of the experimental work, various mixtures of hydrogels were prepared from TEMPO nanocellulose fibers and scleroglucan. Based on the measurements, we determined the viscoelastic properties of hydrogels and monitored changes in the structure of sonicated and non-sonicated one-component solutions of hydrogels and their mixtures. Sonicated samples of both TEMPO nanocellulose and mixtures were found to be better cross-linked with higher viscoelastic moduli values. Sonicated samples have proven to be more rigid than non-sonicated samples.
|
