Synthesis and characterization of novel crosslinked PEG-graft-chitosan/hyaluronic acid hydrogel

A novel hydrogel was synthesized by crosslinking hyaluronic acid (HA) with poly(ethylene glycol)-graft-Chitosan (PEG-g-chitosan) using EDCI and NHS. Rheological and Fourier-transformed infrared characterization of the copolymer was done to confirm crosslinkage. Gelation time, elasticity and swelling ratio were also noted for future copolymer composition optimization. As HA, PEG, and chitosan are known to be biocompatible and bioresorbable, this novel hydrogel has great potential for a wide variety of biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, gene delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing.