Synthesis and characterization of a novel semi-IPN hydrogel based on Salecan and poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

• Salecan is a novel water-soluble extracellular β-glucan.
• Salecan has unique physicochemical properties and can be used to prepare hydrogel.
• Semi-IPN hydrogels composed of Salecan and poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) were synthesized.
• Effect of Salecan/poly(DMAA-co-HEMA) ratio on the properties of the hydrogels was studied.
• The semi-IPN hydrogels exhibited desirable physicochemical and biological properties.

Salecan is a novel water-soluble, high molecular mass extracellular β-glucan produced by Agrobacterium sp. ZX09. Salecan has excellent physicochemical and biological properties, making it very suitable for hydrogel preparation. In this study, a series of novel semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogels containing Salecan and poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (poly(DMAA-co-HEMA)) were synthesized by radical polymerization and semi-IPN technology. Structure and morphology of the hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, XRD, TGA and SEM. The semi-IPNs had a well-interconnected porous structure with tunable pore size ranging from 6 to 41 μm. Swelling capability of the hydrogels was improved by introducing the hydrophilic Salecan. Rheological results indicated that the incorporation of poly(DMAA-co-HEMA) into hydrogels enhanced the storage modulus. Compression tests revealed that these semi-IPNs were robust materials with compressive modulus between 13.3 and 90.5 kPa, the addition of Salecan increased the fracture strain from 71.1% to 88.8%. Degradation and cytotoxicity tests demonstrated that semi-IPNs were degradable and non-toxic.