Rational Design and Synthesis of Biodegradable Filler-Reinforced Networks for Superabsorbent Polymers
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The rising demand for biodegradable materials has spurred interest in creating hydrogels from natural polymers. Chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide from crustacean shells, is ideal for hydrogel synthesis, finding applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing. Our research aims to develop chitosan-based hydrogels through grafting from the chitosan backbone using Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) polymerization. RAFT polymerization offers control over molecular weight and microstructure, making it a suitable method. The chitosan filler acts as a cross-linker, leading to larger mesh size and improved mechanical strength due to densely located cross-linking sites. By precisely controlling monomer and chain transfer agent ratios, we explore the water swelling ratio and modulus of the synthesized hydrogels.