Date of Thesis
Spring 2021
Description
Hydrogels exhibit biocompatibility in a range of biomedical applications, including drug delivery. This thesis aims to develop complementary techniques to measure the diffusion and degradation behaviors within an injectable, hydrolytically degradable hydrogel, formed via the covalent crosslinking of ethoxylated trimethylolpropane tri-3- mercaptopropionate (ETTMP) and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), to determine its suitability as a drug delivery matrix. The characterization of water as either free, within the network openings of the hydrogel, or bound, tightly associated with the polymer chains, was determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The mobility of each type of water within the hydrogels was determined via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) diffusion experiments. The fractions and mobilities of the water were found to change with initial polymer concentration within the hydrogel. Effects of the water and swelling on the hydrolytic degradation of the hydrogel network, as well as diffusion and release of model drugs from the hydrogels, were determined, and it was shown that deviations from equilibrium water content (EWC) caused initial swelling or deswelling of the gels.
Keywords
Hydrogels, Drug Delivery, Diffusion, NMR, Degradation, Swelling
Access Type
Masters Thesis
Degree Type
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
Major
Chemical Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Erin Jablonski
Second Advisor
Dr. Brandon Vogel
Recommended Citation
Rockwell, Paige, "Complementary Techniques to Study the Behavior of Water and the Effect on Diffusion and Degradation in Hydrogels" (2021). Master’s Theses. 250.
https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/masters_theses/250