Synthesis, characterization and properties of radiation-induced Starch/(EG-co-MAA) hydrogels

Association of poly(carboxylic acids) and non-ionic polymers in solutions via hydrogen bonding results in formation of novel polymeric materials-interpolymer complexes. Starch/(EG-co-MAA) polymeric hydrogels were obtained by gamma-initiated radiation copolymerization of ethylene glycol (EG) with methacrylic acid (MAA) which grafted on starch. The gel content of prepared hydrogels was varied with changes in starch content, EG: MAA composition and irradiation dose as well as crosslinking density. The swelling was studied as a function of starch content, EG: MAA composition, irradiation dose, type of soaked liquid, pH and temperature of matrix-surrounding medium. The degree of swelling greatly increased with enhanced MAA content, pH and temperature whereas, it decreased with reduced starch content and irradiation dose. The swelling was varied with the polarity of soaked liquid. The results showed that Starch/(EG-co-MAA) hydrogels reached the equilibrium swelling state in water after 72 h. The structure and surface morphology of prepared polymer were confirmed with FTIR and SEM, respectively. The thermal properties of hydrogels were studied by using DSC and TGA, they cleared that there is miscibility between EG and MAA in copolymer and adding them improve the thermal stability of starch. The results indicate that Starch/(EG-co-MAA) materials may be used in various applications. (C) 2012 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.