Swelling and Mechanical Properties of Modified HEMA-based Superporous Hydrogels

Superporous hydrogels (SPHs), based on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), were prepared by adding minute amounts of an ion-complexable hydrophilic acrylic acid. PHEMA SPHs are generally strong, but their swelling is minimal. To improve the swelling, different poly(HEMA-co-acrylic acid) hydrogels were polymerized and crosslinked, then physically treated with divalent calcium and trivalent aluminum cations. The incorporation of acrylic acid copolymer into the SPH, followed by crosslinking of the copolymer with calcium or aluminum ions produced SPHs with improved swelling and strength. Cells in the presence of hydrogel showed high viability indicating the absence of cytotoxicity and stimulatory effect.