Characteristics of novel starch-based hydrogels prepared by UV photopolymerization of acryloylated starch and a zwitterionic monomer

New starch-based hydrogels were prepared by the UV-induced polymerization of acryloylated starch with the zwitterionic monomer 3-dimethyl (methacryloyloxyethyl) ammonium propane sulfonate (DMAPS). The swelling kinetics of the resultant hydrogels in distilled water and their equilibrium swelling ratios in aqueous NaCl and CaCl2 solutions were investigated. With increasing amount of incorporated DMAPS, the formed hydrogel had an enhanced swelling ability in distilled water and in aqueous salt solutions. In particular, antipolyelectrolyte swelling behavior of the hydrogel was observed in aqueous salt solutions.