Comparative study of the effect of cross-linking degree on chitosan hydrogels synthesized with low and medium molecular weight chitosan

Chitosan (CS) is often used in hydrogels due to its natural origin, sustainability, non-toxicity, and biodegradability. However, the physicochemical properties of CS hydrogels generated via physical cross-linking are relatively poor. CS hydrogels were prepared by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (GA) at different ratios ranging from 1% to 10% (w/w), using two different molecular weight CS. The swelling degree of hydrogels was investigated at pH 2.0, 5.6, and 7.4. The structure, morphology, and thermal characteristics of hydrogels were examined using Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. Compression tests were conducted using Zwick/Roell universal testing equipment following ASTM D695. In vitro degradation studies were performed in enzyme and enzyme-free mediums at pH 7.4. The study demonstrated that low molecular weight CS (L-CS) hydrogels have a lower sol content and higher swelling values than medium molecular weight CS (M-CS) hydrogels. Both L-CS and M-CS hydrogels cross-linked with 1% GA showed maximum swelling degrees at pH 2.0. Thermal analysis concluded that M-CS hydrogels have higher thermal stability than L-CS hydrogels. It was also found that the M-CS hydrogels have higher compressive moduli. The degradation experiments in both enzyme and enzyme-free media showed that L-CS hydrogels have higher degradation rates.Highlights Chemically cross-linked hydrogels synthesized using low and medium molecular weight chitosan. The mechanical and physical properties of medium and low molecular weight chitosan hydrogels were compared. Degradation experiments were performed in both enzyme and enzyme-free media. Swelling values decreased noticeably with the increasing molecular weight. Low molecular weight chitosan improved the biodegradability of hydrogels. In-vitro Degradation of Low and Medium Molecular Weight Chitosan Hydrogels image