Microwave Copolymerized Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Chitosan Hydrogel
Abigail Grace Gerona1, Jeanelyn Remaneses1 and Maxim Sorongon1
1Philippine Science High School-Western Visayas Campus – Bitoon, Jaro, 5000 Iloilo City, Department of Science and Technology, Philippines
Abstract
Copolymerization is a method used to connect di↵erent chains of polymers to form a hybrid macromolecule with modified properties of both polymers. Copolymerization can be done with different methods, one of which is microwave irradiation. Some naturally-occurring polymers are known to have excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and absorption. They are modified to become hydrogels or superabsorbent polymers that retain a huge amount of water. Microwave radiation initiates copolymerization. This study copolymerized carboxymethyl cellulose with chitosan using microwave radiation for 3, 6, and 9 minutes with carboxymethyl cellulose microwaved for 3 minutes as control. The findings of this study showed that the CMC-Chitosan hydrogel yielded lower gel content compared to the control group which is the CMC hydrogel. The polymer irradiated for 9 minutes is the most efficient in terms of absorbency. All in all, the three experimental set-ups had exhibited ideal absorption values, with a slower de-swelling ratio.