Preparation and dynamic response of cationic copolymer hydrogels containing glucose oxidase

Glucose-sensitive hydrogels were prepared by the copolymerization of diethy laminoethyl methacrylate (DEAEM), poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate (P EGMA) and functionalized glucose oxidase (GOD) and catalase in solution. Te tra(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) was used as the crosslinking a gent. The equilibrium and dynamic swelling properties were studied to inves tigate the pH-sensitive swelling behavior of the gels. The effects of cross linking ratio and enzyme content on the swelling properties were studied. T he hydrogels demonstrated critical swelling behavior as the pH approached 7 .0. The mesh sizes and the diffusion coefficients were determined. Dynamic swelling studies were performed and the results were analyzed using a first -order model to calculate the time constants of swelling and synthesis. Pul satile swelling studies revealed the reversible nature of the swelling/desw elling process. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.