Temperature-responsive Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Hydrogels: Influence of Various Crosslinking Agents

In the crosslinking of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), a temperature -sensitive hydrogel, there have been limited comparative studies on the effects of different crosslinking agents. This study aims to explore how the characteristics of HPC change when crosslinked with various agents. Film surface structure, swelling ratio, modulus, and diffusion coefficient are influenced by the type of crosslinking agent used. These changes are attributed to variations in the number of chain branches, chain length, and the crosslinking strength of the agents. Furthermore, in the blend films of HPC and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), increases in the modulus and the diffusion coefficient were observed. This understanding of HPC hydrogel properties when employing different crosslinking agents holds promise for broadening HPC's applications across various fields.