Synthesis of temperature-sensitive hydrogel blends by high-energy irradiation

Hydrogel blends were synthesized by electron beam irradiation and gamma-irradiation of aqueous solutions of two polymers. Poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) was used as a temperature-sensitive and poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as a biocompatible compound. Hydrogels of different composition were generated at different irradiation doses (40120 kGy). The hydrogels were characterized with regard to their sol content, swelling behavior in dependence on the temperature and network properties. Network characterization (determination of molecular weight of net chains, elastic moduli) was performed with compression measurements by using RET equation. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.