Electromechanical properties of hydrogels based on chitosan and poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) in NaCl solution

Abstract

A semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogel, composed of chitosan and poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), exhibited electrically sensitive behavior. The swelling behavior of the chitosan/PHEMA semi-IPN hydrogel was studied by immersion of the gel in aqueous NaCl solutions at various concentrations. The stimulus response of the chitosan/PHEMA semi-IPN hydrogel in electric fields was also investigated. When swollen, the semi-IPN was placed between a pair of electrodes, and showed bending behavior upon the application of an electric field. The electro-responsive behavior of the present semi-IPN was also affected by the electrolyte concentration of the external solution, and also showed various degrees of increased bending behavior depending on the electrical stimulus.