| Abstrakt: |
Design and preparation of synthetic hydrogels for biomedical use as wound dressings were studied. A partially hydrated hydrogel of sodium salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (Na-AMPS) was prepared by redox initiation via free radical polymerisation in aqueous solution. In this reaction, of 40% w/v Na-AMPS aqueous solution was prepared, with 1.0% by mole of monomer ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDM) as crosslinker, and potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) as the free radical initiator at a concentration of 0.5% mol monomer with potassium metabisulfite (K2S2O5) and ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) as coinitiator. The results showed that the hydrogel sheets gave good coherency, transparency, flexibility, high oxygen permeability, good skin adhesion and were non-toxic. The water properties of the hydrogel sheets (absorption, retention, water vapour transmission rate) were balanced which can maintain the moist environment of the wound. It is concluded that Na-AMPS hydrogels have properties which show potential for biomedical use as a wound dressing for second degree burn. |
