Open Access Conference Proceedings

Interaction between polyelectrolyte and oppositely charged surfactant leads to a formation of a hydrogel with micellar nanodomains. The main focus of this work was to monitor and study how pH and its changes affect mainly mechanical properties of phase-separated hydrogels with micellar nanodomains. This work focuses on interaction of hyaluronan and Septonex (carbethoxypendecinium bromide). The studied pH range was 4-9. Rheology was the main technique to study the mechanical properties of the hydrogels. The rheology results were obtained for all prepared hydrogels at the pH range and as well for hydrogels that had changed pH after their preparation. The pH values were always changed to the limit values of the selected range, i.e. four and nine. The results show that the mechanical properties and partly the internal structure of hydrogels vary according to the pH of their dispersion medium. By changing the pH to limit values, it was possible to strengthen or soften the bonds within the hydrogel.

Keywords: Hydrogel, pH, rheology, hyaluronan, Septonex

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