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Special Issue "Physically Cross-Linked Gels and Their Applications"

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A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2023 | Viewed by 5589

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Regina R. Vildanova

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Guest Editor

Ufa Institute of Chemistry, Ufa Federal Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 450054 Ufa, Russia
Interests: biopolymers; polyelectrolytes; hydrogels; chitosan; hyaluronic acid; drug delivery; rheology; cross-linking

Prof. Dr. Sergey V. Kolesov

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Guest Editor

Ufa Institute of Chemistry, Ufa Federal Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 450054 Ufa, Russia
Interests: chemical transformations of polymers (modification, destruction, stabilization); physiologically active polymers and polymer systems; technology of polymers and polymer materials

Prof. Dr. Vitaliy V. Khutoryanskiy

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Guest Editor

Reading School of Pharmacy, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AD, UK
Interests: water-soluble polymers; hydrogels; polymer complexes; drug delivery; mucoadhesion; nanomaterials
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is focused on physically cross-linked gels and their applications in various areas, including biomedicine, drug delivery, cosmetics, food technology, oil recovery, and other industries. A unique substance called gel was first prepared by the Scottish chemist Thomas Graham in the 19th century, namely, it was a physically cross-linked gelatin gel. In the 21st century, there is a rapid development in polymer and materials science, dedicated to the development of methods for the synthesis and optimization of conditions for the preparation of composite polymer materials with a nanoscale structure, as well as the study of their properties for various applications. Physically cross-linked gels have a number of advantages, including the simplicity of their preparation without the need for cross-linking agents. Different methods have been developed for preparing physical gels. Well-known examples of these systems include formation of gels by alginates and pectinates in the presence of calcium ions due to ionic interactions; formation of poly(vinyl alcohol)-based cryogels via cross-linking due to crystallization; formation of gels based on amphiphilic block copolymers, such as Pluronics due to hydrophobic effects, and cross-linking due to protein-protein interactions. Physically cross-linked gels may also be prepared in the form of cryogels, aerogels, xerogels, films, micro- and nanogels, and hybrid materials in combination with micro- and nanoparticles. Although the use of synthetic polymers provides gels with controlled properties, the use of natural polymers improves the biocompatibility of the material and appears to be more environmentally friendly.

Our team of guest editors hopes that this Special Issue will attract submissions of high-quality reviews and original research manuscripts from the international community of researchers, specializing in different types of physical gels. We believe that physically cross-linked gels are not only interesting and promising objects for research, but also have a great potential for practical applications in various fields, expanding the capabilities of traditional objects and improving the quality of people's lives.

Dr. Regina R. Vildanova
Prof. Dr. Sergey V. Kolesov
Prof. Dr. Vitaliy V. Khutoryanskiy
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

physical cross-linking
poly(vinyl alcohol)-based cryogels
hydrogels
aerogels
synthetic polymers
natural biopolymers
Pluronics
polyelectrolyte complex
molecular interactions
biomaterials
applications
rheology
drug delivery

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Pullulan Composite Hydrogels as a Potential Platform for Wound Dressing Applications

Ioana-Alexandra Plugariu

Maria Bercea

Luiza Madalina Gradinaru

Daniela Rusu

and

Alexandra Lupu

Gels 2023, 9(7), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9070580 - 16 Jul 2023

Viewed by 690

Abstract

Hydrogels are 3D networks with an excellent ability to retain a high amount of water or biological fluids, representing suitable candidates for wound dressing applications. They can provide a protective barrier and a moist environment, facilitating wound treatment. The present paper focuses on physical hydrogels obtained from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and pullulan (PULL) mixtures in different weight ratios by using the freezing/thawing method. Hybrid hydrogels of similar polymer compositions were prepared in the presence of 0.5% Laponite^® RD. The influence of polysaccharide and clay addition on the properties of PVA hydrogels was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy showed evidence of the inner porous structure. The viscoelastic properties were investigated in different shear conditions and revealed the influence of the hydrogel composition on the network strength. The swelling behavior was followed in physiological saline solutions at 37 °C and pH = 7.4. For all samples, a quasi-Fickian diffusion mechanism was found. The delivery of neomycin sulfate was studied in similar conditions as for the swelling tests (0.15 M NaCl solutions; 37 °C; pH = 7.4) and different kinetic models were used to determine the release mechanism. The Peppas–Sahlin approach described very well the in vitro drug release mechanism from the polymeric hydrogels in the absence of clay. However, the hybrid polymer/clay hydrogels showed the best fit with the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. According to the present study, the porous membranes containing 40–60% PULL (in absence of clay) are suitable for the release of therapeutic agents at wound sites in physiological conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physically Cross-Linked Gels and Their Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

Alginate Hydrogel Formulation with Ketorolac for the Treatment of Pain Related Sialolithiasis

Noelia Pérez-González

Ana Cristina Calpena

and

Francisco Fernández-Campos

Gels 2023, 9(5), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9050415 - 16 May 2023

Viewed by 620

Abstract

Sialolithiasis mainly affects the oral salivary glands due to the presence of small stones that obstruct the secretion of saliva. The treatment and control of pain and inflammation during the course of this pathology is essential to guarantee the patient’s comfort. For this reason, a ketorolac calcium cross-linked alginate hydrogel was developed, and it was then applied in the area of the buccal cavity. The formulation was characterized (swelling and degradation profile, extrusion, extensibility, surface morphology, viscosity, and drug release). The drug release was studied ex vivo in static Franz cells and with a dynamic ex vivo method under artificial saliva continuous flow. The product exhibits adequate physicochemical properties considering the intended purpose, and the drug concentrations retained in the mucosa were high enough to deliver a therapeutic local concentration able to reduce the pain associated with the patient’s conditions. The results confirmed the suitability of the formulation for application in the mouth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physically Cross-Linked Gels and Their Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

Biodegradable Hydrogels Based on Chitosan and Pectin for Cisplatin Delivery

Regina R. Vildanova

Svetlana F. Petrova

Sergey V. Kolesov

and

Vitaliy V. Khutoryanskiy

Gels 2023, 9(4), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9040342 - 17 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 928

Abstract

Preparation of stable hydrogels using physically (electrostatically) interacting charge-complementary polyelectrolyte chains seems to be more attractive from a practical point of view than the use of organic crosslinking agents. In this work natural polyelectrolytes—chitosan and pectin—were used, due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. The biodegradability of hydrogels is confirmed by experiments with hyaluronidase as an enzyme. It has been shown that the use of pectins with different molecular weights makes it possible to prepare hydrogels with different rheological characteristics and swelling kinetics. These polyelectrolyte hydrogels loaded with cytostatic cisplatin as a model drug provide an opportunity for its prolonged release, which is important for therapy. The drug release is regulated to a certain extent by the choice of hydrogel composition. The developed systems can potentially improve the effects of cancer treatment due to the prolonged release of cytostatic cisplatin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physically Cross-Linked Gels and Their Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

Synthesis and Degradation Properties of Sericin/PVA Hydrogels

and

Gels 2023, 9(2), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9020076 - 17 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1293

Abstract

One method of treating diabetic foot ulcers, mainly superficial and deep ulcers, is using a wound dressing in the form of a hydrogel. Sericin derived from silkworm cocoons is a promising hydrogel material candidate because it has anti-inflammatory properties and stimulates collagen production. Sericin was combined with PVA to increase the stability of the resulting hydrogel. Sericin/PVA hydrogel was prepared using the freeze–thawing method with variations in the solution concentration and volume ratio of PVA and sericin. Sericin was successfully extracted using an autoclave method. The FTIR results confirmed that sericin extracted from the cocoon had a dominant secondary structure in the form of a β-sheet. Hydrogel with a concentration of 4% with a 1:1 ratio of PVA and sericin showed good stability and resulted in a hydrogel with characteristics that combine PVA and sericin. The resulting hydrogel had an average pore size range of 24–191 µm and a porosity range of 70–85%, which meets the requirements for wound dressings. Through degradation testing in PBS solution, it was found that the sericin/PVA hydrogel experienced degradation of 60–75% after 672 h of testing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physically Cross-Linked Gels and Their Applications)

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Open AccessArticle

Sodium Alginate-Quaternary Polymethacrylate Composites: Characterization of Dispersions and Calcium Ion Cross-Linked Gel Beads

Wanwisa Khunawattanakul

and

Gels 2022, 8(11), 739; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels8110739 - 15 Nov 2022

Viewed by 889

Abstract

The objective of this work was to examine the effect of quaternary polymethacrylate (QPM), a water-insoluble polymer with a positive charge, on the characteristics of the sodium alginate (SA) dispersions and the calcium alginate (CA) gel beads containing propranolol HCl (PPN). The SA-QPM composite dispersions presented the formation of flocculates with a negative charge due to the electrostatic interaction of both substances. The QPM addition did not affect the SA dispersions’ Newtonian flow, but the composite dispersions’ viscosity enhancement was found. The PPN-loaded CA-QPM gel beads had more spherical than the PPN-loaded CA gel beads. The incorporation of QPM caused a bigger particle size, higher drug entrapment efficiency, and greater particle strength of the gel beads. Despite the similar water uptake property, the PPN-loaded CA-QPM gel beads displayed lower burst release and slower drug release rate than the PPN-loaded CA gel beads. However, the drug release from the PPN-loaded CA-QPM gel beads involved drug diffusion and matrix swelling mechanisms. This study demonstrated that adding QPM into the SA dispersions leads to a viscosity synergism. The CA-QPM gel beads display a good potential for use as a bioactive compound delivery system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physically Cross-Linked Gels and Their Applications)

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