Method for producing hydrogels

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of producing a polymer hydrogel comprising the steps of: (1) preparing an aqueous solution of a water soluble polysaccharide derivative and a polycarboxylic acid; (2) optionally agitating the solution, for example, by stirring; (3) isolating a polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite from the solution; and (4) heating the polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite at a temperature of at least about 80° C., thereby cross-linking the polysaccharide with the polycarboxylic acid. The invention also provides polymer hydrogels produced by the methods of the invention.

1 . A method for producing a polymer hydrogel, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an aqueous solution of a water soluble polysaccharide derivative and an amount of polycarboxylic acid less than about 0.5% by weight relative to the weight of the polysaccharide derivative; (b) agitating the solution; (c) isolating a polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite from the solution; and (d) heating the polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite at a temperature of at least about 80° C., thereby cross-linking the polysaccharide with the polycarboxylic acid. 
     
     
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