In this study, hydrogels from mixtures of chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) and chitosan/poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)(PVP) were prepared by γ-ray irradiation, and the mechanical properties such as gelation, water absorptivity and gel strength were examined to evaluate the applicability of these for wound dressing. The PVA: chitosan and PVP: chitosan ratio were in the range of 97:3~90:10, and the solid concentration of PVA/chitosan and PVP/chitosan solution were 15 wt%. Gamma irradiation with doses of 25, 35, 50, 60 and 70kGy, was exposed to mixtures of PVA/chitosan and PVP/chitosan to evaluate the effect of irradiation dose. Gel content and gel strength increased as chitosan concentrations in PVA/chitosan and PVP/chitosan decreased, and as irradiation dose increased. Swelling degree increased as chitosan concentrations in PVP/chitosan and PVA/chitosan increased, and as irradiation dose decreased.

본 연구에서는, (60)Co 방사선(γ-rays) 가교를 이용하여 PVA/키토산과 PVP/키토산의 혼합물로부터 하이드로겔을 제조하였다. 하이드로겔이 상처 치료용 드레싱으로 사용될 수 있는지 예측하기 위해 겔화율, 팽윤도, 겔강도같은 기계적 성질을 측정하였다. PVA와 키토산 및 PVP와 키토산의 비는 97:3~90:10이고, PVA/키토산 밑 PVP/키토산 용액의 고형분의 농도는 15 wt%이었다. 하이드로겔의 기계적 성질에 조사선량이 미치는 영향을 예측하기 위해 PVA/키토산 및 PVP/키토산 혼합물에 25 ~ 70kGy의 감마선을 조사하였다. 겔화율과 겔강도는 키토산 조정비가 작을수록, 조사선량이 커질수록 증가하였다. 팽윤도는 키토산 조성비가 클수록, 조사선량이 작을수록 증가하였다.

Keywords: hydrogels; radiation; PVA; PVP; chitosan