Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Science - Department of Organic Chemistry

The presented thesis deals with the synthesis of two novel hydrogels based on N-quaternized chitosan (NQC) (N,N,N-Trimethyl ammoniumchitosan chloride). First, synthesis of hydrogels composed of NQC and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) of different weight ratios in both absence and presence of different wt. % of glutaraldehyde (GA) (1 and 5 %) GA. NQC/PVA hydrogels were characterized via several analysis tools such as: FTIR, XRD, SEM and TGA. Different applications had been performed on NQC / PVA hydrogels including: 1) Swell ability in different buffer solutions (pH 4, 7 and 9), 2) Swell ability and biodegradation studies in simulated body fluid (SBF) solutions, 3) Adsorption of metal ions (Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺and Cd²⁺) from its chloride salts, 4) Antimicrobial activity against G- bacteria, G+ bacteria and against fungi. Second, interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) hydrogels were synthesized from NQC and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) of different weight ratios. These IPN were characterized via several analysis tools such as: FTIR, XRD, SEM and TGA. Some applications were done on the IPN including: 1) Biodegradation studies in simulated body fluid solution (SBF), 2) Adsorption of metal ions (Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺and Cd²⁺) from its chloride salts, 3) Antimicrobial activity against G- and G+ bacteria and against fungi.

Issued also as CD