Initiator Concentration Effect on Rheological Properties of a pH-Sensitive Semi-IPN Hydrogel Based on Konjac Glucomannan and Methacrylic Acid

A pH-sensitive semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) hydrogel based on Konjac glucomannan(KGM) and methylacrylic acid(MAA) was prepared by free radical polymerization at different concentrations of initiator potassium persulfate (KPS) in presence of crosslinker N,N-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA). The chemical structure and rheological properties of hydrogels were characterized by FT-IR and rheometry, respectively. In addition, the swelling behavior of the hydrogels were studied in buffer solution at different pHs.