Swelling properties and mechanical characterization of a semi-interpenetrating chitosan/polyethylene oxide network - Comparison with a chitosan reference gel

To develop a system for drug target liberation and control release, semi-in terpenetrating network was synthesised with chitosan, crosslinked by glyoxa l, and polyethylene oxide. Chitosane was characterized by its degree of dea cetylation determined by infrared spectroscopy, and by its average viscosim etric molecular weight. Swelling studies were performed on the chitosan/pol yethylene oxide semi-interpenetrating network and on the reference hydrogel (crosslinked chitosan) at pH 1.2 and 7.2. The semi-interpenetrating networ k displayed a high capacity to swell, adjustable by pH. Rheological studies performed in simple shearing and in oscillation showed that the semi-inter penetrating network had elastic properties. Young modulus was determined by texture analysis, in uniaxial compression and indentation. Finally the com parison between the semi-interpenetrating network and the reference gel, as regards the mechanical and swelling pi-opec-ties, demonstrates the interes t of the addition of polyethylene oxide.</abstract> <kwdgroup> </kwdgroup> </itemdata>