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Physicochemical and rheological properties of agarose/xylans composite hydrogel materials
Author(s) -
Meena Ramavatar,
Lehnen Ralph,
Schmitt Uwe,
Saake Bodo
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.22504
Subject(s) - agarose , materials science , self healing hydrogels , syneresis , rheology , composite number , chemical engineering , xylan , composite material , viscosity , aqueous solution , dynamic mechanical analysis , rheometer , polymer , polymer chemistry , polysaccharide , chemistry , chromatography , organic chemistry , engineering
Agarose (AG)/Xylans [beech (BX) and oat spelt (OSX)] composite hydrogels were prepared by effortless mixing method, using water as solvent. The gelling behavior of the composite hydrogels was investigated by a rheometer fitted with a temperature control facility. Improved gelling properties were observed as a result of incorporation of BX and OSX into the appropriate native aqueous agarose solution. A significant increase in the viscosity and elastic modulus of the parent AG was found with incorporation of xylans. The gelling and melting points of the mixtures resembled that of pure agarose gel, except for 90% xylan concentration. A significant increase in swelling ability of the parent AG was found with incorporation of xylans, while syneresis was reduced on addition of xylans. The physicochemical and rheological properties of seaweed polysaccharide agarose were modified significantly after blending with xylans, allowing their use in new applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:978–988, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers