Polymer hydrogels and methods of preparation thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a polymer hydrogel, comprising cross-linking a precursor comprising a hydrophilic polymer optionally in combination with a second hydrophilic polymer, using a polycarboxylic acid as the cross-linking agent. The invention further concerns the polymer hydrogel obtainable by the method of the invention and the use thereof in a number of different applications.

1 . A method for preparing a polymer hydrogel, comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing an aqueous solution comprising a hydrophilic polymer and a polycarboxylic acid or an anhydride thereof, wherein said polycarboxylic acid is a C 4 -C 12 -dicarboxylic acid, a tricarboxylic acid or a tetracarboxylic acid; and   (b) maintaining the solution of step (a) under conditions suitable for cross-linking of the hydrophilic polymer by the polycarboxylic acid; thereby forming a polymer hydrogel.   
     
     
         2 - 51 . (canceled)