WATER TRANSPORT IN HYALURONIC-ACID ESTERS

Hyaluronic acid esters belong to a new class of polymers which have be en developed in order to overcome water sensitivity displayed by hyalu ronic acid. In this paper the effects of the substituting group on the water vapor transport properties were investigated. In particular, wa ter sorption isotherms and kinetics for three types of hyaluronic acid esters (ethyl, dodecyl and benzyl esters) were determined. The type o f substituent group has been found to affect polymer hydrophilicity an d, consequently, the water swelling properties.