Preparation and Characterization of Alginate Hydrogel Fibers Reinforced by Cotton for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

In this study, cotton-reinforced alginate hydrogel fibers were successfully synthesized using the wet spinning technique to improve hydrogel fibers’ mechanical strength and durability. Structural, chemical, and mechanical properties of the prepared fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, differential scanning calorimeter, and single fiber strength tester. Based on the results obtained from fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray Diffraction, cotton fibers have been successfully incorporated into the structure of the hydrogel fibers. It was seen from the differential scanning calorimeter results that the incorporation of fibers in the structure even enhanced the thermal stability of the fiber and is viable to be implanted in the human body. Cotton reinforcement in alginate hydrogel fibers increases the modulus up to 56.45 MPa providing significant stiffness and toughness for the hydrogel composite fiber. The tenacity of the fibers increased by increasing the concentration of alginate from 2.1 cN/Tex (1% w/v) to 8.16 cN/Tex (1.5% w/v). Fiber strength increased by 26.75% and water absorbance increased by 120% by incorporating (10% w/w) cotton fibers into the fibrous structure. It was concluded that these cotton-reinforced alginate hydrogel fibers have improved mechanical properties and liquid absorption properties suitable for use in various biomedical applications.

Optimization of the novel jute retting process to enhance the fiber quality for textile applications

“…The O–H groups in the jute fiber structure were responsible for intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The peaks in the region of 1050 cm-1 to 1000 cm-1 were due to the stretching of the C–O functional group [ 38 ]. The peak at 1742 cm −1 in the S18 J sample attributed to the C O functional group present in the hemicellulose [ 6 , 36 ].…”

Vancomycin-loaded hydrogels with thermal-responsive, self-peeling, and sustainable antibacterial properties for wound dressing

“…In addition, S. aureus is the most commonly used model bacteria for studies on wound dressings. 36 Therefore, the antibacterial properties of hydrogels were tested using S. aureus as model bacteria. The single colony of S. aureus was isolated from the solid plate and then activated overnight at 37 1C and 100 rpm in the Luria-Bertani (LB) liquid medium to reach a logarithmic growth stage of bacterial density of 5 Â 10 8 CFU mL À1 .…”

Functional Materials Made by Combining Hydrogels (Cross-Linked Polyacrylamides) and Conducting Polymers (Polyanilines)—A Critical Review

“…On the other hand, superporous hydrogels of cPAM can be made by cryogelation [ 51 ]. Moreover, hydrogels as thin films [ 52 ], fibers [ 53 ] or particles [ 54 ] can be produced and then combined with PANIs.…”