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

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 m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polymers 2022-11, Vol.14 (21), p.4707
Main Authors: Azam, Farooq, Ahmad, Faheem, Ahmad, Sheraz, Zafar, Muhammad Sohail, Ulker, Zeynep
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alginates
Biomedical engineering
Biomedical materials
Cotton fabrics
Cotton fibers
Differential scanning calorimetry
Diffraction
Fiber strength
Fibrous structure
Fourier transforms
Hydrogels
Infrared spectroscopy
Interfacial bonding
Mechanical properties
Morphology
Scanning electron microscopy
Spectrum analysis
Stiffness
Tensile strength
Textiles
Thermal stability
Tissue engineering
Wet spinning
X-ray diffraction
X-rays
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Summary: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.
ISSN:2073-4360
2073-4360
DOI:10.3390/polym14214707