Properties of radiation synthesized PVP-kappa carrageenan hydrogel blends

Hydrogels have been synthesized from varying concentrations of polyvinyl pyrolidone (PVP) and kappa carrageenan (KC) using gamma radiation. Physical properties such as gel fraction and swelling behavior were determined. Data revealed the presence of a network structure whereby KC is physically entangled into the crosslinked PVP (SIPN). TGA, X-RF and FT-IR analyses of the gel fractions also indicated grafting and crosslinking of the PVP. The degree of grafting and crosslinking depended on the concentrations of KC and PVP. Maximum grafting was obtained at higher KC concentration and lower PVP