Structure and characteristics of bacterial cellulose-based hydrogels prepared by cryotropic gelation and irradiation methods

Full interpenetrating network hydrogel of solubilized bacterial cellulose (BC)/acrylamide (Am) were synthesized by freezing, microwave irradiation and combination of both using epichlorohydrin and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as a cross-linker for BC and Am respectively. FT-IR analysis of the hydrogels confirmed the grafting and indicated freezing method to limit the hydrolysis of acrylamide. X-ray diffractogram revealed that crystallinity of cellulose was reduced in hydrogel prepared by microwave radiation. The hydrogels exhibited pH and ionic responsive swelling behavior, with hydrogels prepared by an irradiation method, which exhibited higher swelling ratios. The release kinetics of hydrogels indicated a non-Fickian diffusion mechanism.