Hydrogels based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate obtained by gamma irradiation

Abstract

Hydrogels based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and different types of poly(alkylene glycol) acrylates and methacrylates, with a small percent of itaconic acid, have been prepared by solution copolymerization using gamma irradiation. In this study, the swelling behavior and network parameters of these hydrogels as a function of poly(alkylene glycol) acrylate type are reported for the first time. Morphology of the obtained hydrogels was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique.