Hydrogel film of polyethylene oxide-polypropylene glycol diacrylate for wound dressing application

Abstract

Hydrogel polymer receives more attention in medical and other applications due to its biocompatibility properties and swelling ratio. Hydrogel has an ability to absorb and retain water, a property which is very useful for medical applications. We developed polyethylene oxide (PEO)-polypropylene glycol diacrylate (PPGDA) hydrogel film through electron beam irradiation for wound dressing application. Various compositions of PPGDA/PEO (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) were irradiated using electron beam to obtain the optimum composition for a better hydrogel characteristic. The PPGDA content in the hydrogel film influences the level of swelling capacity, gel fraction and mechanical strength. The results show that 20% PPGDA content of hydrogel film has the highest mechanical strength (6,2 N/mm2). The composition of 20% PPGDA hydrogel film also has the highest gel fraction (79%). However, the hydrogel prepared using that composition has the lowest swelling ratio (300%). Based on the results, 20% PPGDA hydrogel film is very potential for wound dressing application with high mechanical strength and ideal water vapor transmission rate.