Effects of pore morphology and size on antimicrobial activity of chitosan/poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate macromer semi-IPN hydrogels

Abstract

The objective of this study was to obtain antibacterial active chitosan/poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate macromere (CS/PEGM) semi-IPN hydrogels near a neutral pH level by changing their pore size and morphology. These hydrogels were prepared from CS and PEGM with different molecular weights in the presence of pore-forming agents, poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), by using two different initiator system, namely chemical or UV. A combination of CS with PEG or NaHCO3 in the presence of PEGM could be able to create desired pore formation in both initiator systems. The antibacterial activity of hydrogels changed with the molecular weight (g/mol) of PEGM in the order 2000>400>8000. A chemical initiation system was found more suitable than the UV initiation system for antibacterial activity. Hydrogels showing the highest antibacterial activity on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli have medium or distributed pore size and interconnected pores. Hydrogels prepared with PEGM (M-n: 2000 g/mol) were proposed for antibacterial wound dressing and soft tissue regeneration applications owing to their antibacterial activity and elastic modulus. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42707.