Cooperative action of polymer architecture and size on the mechanical and water retention properties of the Gleditsia sinensis galactomannan-based hydrogel.

A novel hyaluronic acid/ Gleditsia sinensis galactomannan hydrogel was prepared using various alkyl glycidyl ethers as cross-linking agents. The morphological, physicochemical, and mechanical properties of the obtained hydrogels were comparatively investigated and discussed. The optimal hydrogel exhibited high storage modulus (210 P), loss modulus (27.8 P), and water retention properties (95 %). The diffusion rate constant of water molecules in freeze-dried hydrogels exhibited a positive correlation with water uptake/equilibrium swelling rate, and the water molecules exhibited a non-Fickian type diffusion mechanism. Hydrogels with high molecular weight (Mw) hyaluronic acid showed higher water retention properties than those with low-Mw hyaluronic acid (80 % water retention properties). The molecular docking simulations of hyaluronic acid confirmed the higher formation energies of the high-Mw hyaluronic acid (-14.98 Kcal/mol) than that of the low-Mw hyaluronic acid (-6.90 Kcal/mol). This study offers a new design strategy for a water retention hydrogel by optimizing the cross-linked dimension with various-length polymer chains as cross-linkers. These remarkable advantages make hydrogels have enormous potential in the application of cosmetics and biomedical. • A epoxy-crosslinked galactomannan hydrogel was prepared with hyaluronic acid. • Length of cross-linker determined the mechanical property. • Molecular weight of hyaluronic acid affect the water retention behavior of hydrogel. • Hydrogels exhibited excellent mechanical strength and biocompatibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]