Journal
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
Volume 99, Issue -, Pages 1-10Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2019.07.003
Keywords
Photopolymerised polyethyleneglycol; dimethacrylate hydrogel; Physiological solution; Surface properties; Compressive properties; Cell response; Hydrogel stability
Funding
- HEA, Athlone Institute of Technology Presidents Seed Fund
- Irish Research Council [GOIPG/2016/1630]
- Irish Research Council (IRC) [GOIPG/2016/1630] Funding Source: Irish Research Council (IRC)
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The main aim of this study was to examine the stability of a range of polyethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) hydrogels over a 28-day period in simulated physiological solution. Upon optimisation of the ultraviolet (UV) curing conditions, the PEGDMA hydrogels were prepared using four different monomer concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100 wt% PEGDMA) in water and cross-linked by photopolymerisation. Initial results revealed a correlation between monomer concentration and swelling behaviour, where a decrease in swelling was observed with increase in monomer content. On storage in physiological solutions at 37 degrees C, a decrease in the weight remaining of the hydrogels and the pH of the solutions was observed over a 28-day period. Using scanning electron microscopy, the surface topography of the hydrogels appeared to get smoother and in parallel changes in hydrophilicty were observed, with the biggest changes observed for the higher monomer concentrations where water contact angle values were seen to increase toward 90 degrees. However, the mechanical properties remained relatively unaffected and there was no adverse effect on cell metabolic activity observed for cells grown in the presence of PEGDMA samples or using elution methods. Looking at the combination of mechanical chemical and thermal properties shown these results are an important finding for scaffolds intended for tissue engineering applications, where provision of mechanical support without the elicitation of an inflammatory response due to polymer degradation products is crucial for successful integration and neotissue formation during the first 28 days post implantation.
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