Synthesis and properties of the antibacterial hydrogels with enhanced mechanical strengths

A series of cationic poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate)- g -poly(carboxybetaine methacrylate ester) (PHEMA- g -PCBMAE) hydrogels (HCGs) were synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The HCGs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and swelling behaviors. It was found that the HCG hydrogels showed enhanced mechanical strengths compared with PCBMAE hydrogel. In addition, it was observed that the cationic HCGs exhibited excellent antibacterial properties. We found that the equilibrium swelling ratios, mechanical properties, and drug release behaviors were related to the feed ratios of the gels. The tetracycline hydrochloride (TCHC) release results indicated that the drug released from HCGs could be prolonged by increasing the content of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in the gel networks.