Synthesis and Characterisation of Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methyl acrylate) Hydrogels for Use as Temporary Skin Substitutes
Tiwaporn Siriwittayakorn [a], Nantarat Suebsanit [a], Robert Molloy [a], Paisit Siriwittayakorn [b] and Malinee Prasitsilp [c]* Author for corresponding; e-mail address: -
Volume: Vol.28 No.2 (DECEMBER 2001)
Opinion
DOI:
Received: 28 May 2001, Revised: -, Accepted: 11 September 2001, Published: -
Citation: Siriwittayakorn T., Suebsanit N., Molloy R., Siriwittayakorn P. and Prasitsilp M., Synthesis and Characterisation of Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-methyl acrylate) Hydrogels for Use as Temporary Skin Substitutes, Chiang Mai Journal of Science, 2001; 28(2): 71-82.
Abstract
Homopolymers and copolymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate were synthesized in the form of thin sheets via in situ bulk polymerization in purpose-designed moulds. The methyl acrylate contents in the copolymers were in the range of 0-25% by weight. Linear relationships between the hydrogel properties of the copolymers and their methyl acrylate contents were clearly shown. As the amount of methyl acrylate in the copolymer increased, the equilibrium water content, equilibrium water retention, water vapour transmission, glass transition temperature and tensile stress at break all decreased. However, the thermal stability of the copolymers showed the opposite trend. Taking all of these properties into consideration, the copolymers studied here were viewed as having potential for use as temporary skin substitutes.