Agarose Cryogels: Production Process Modeling and Structural Characterization
A cryogel is a cross-linked polymer network with different properties that are determined by its manufacturing technique. The formation of a cryogel occurs at low temperatures and results in a porous structure whose pore size is affected by thermal conditions. The adjustable pore sizes of cryogels m...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Gels |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/9/9/765 |
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| author | Raffaele Mancino Diego Caccavo Anna Angela Barba Gaetano Lamberti Alice Biasin Angelo Cortesi Gabriele Grassi Mario Grassi Michela Abrami |
| author_facet | Raffaele Mancino Diego Caccavo Anna Angela Barba Gaetano Lamberti Alice Biasin Angelo Cortesi Gabriele Grassi Mario Grassi Michela Abrami |
| author_sort | Raffaele Mancino |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A cryogel is a cross-linked polymer network with different properties that are determined by its manufacturing technique. The formation of a cryogel occurs at low temperatures and results in a porous structure whose pore size is affected by thermal conditions. The adjustable pore sizes of cryogels make them attractive for diverse applications. In this study, the influence of the external operational temperature, which affects the cooling and freezing rates, on the production of cryogels with 2% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i> agarose is investigated. Moreover, a mathematical model is developed to simulate the cryogel production process and provide an initial estimate of the pore size within the structure. The predictions of the model, supported by qualitative light microscopy images, demonstrate that cryogels produced at higher process temperatures exhibit larger pore sizes. Moreover, the existence of pore size distribution within the gel structure is confirmed. Finally, stress relaxation tests, coupled with an image analysis, validates that cryogels produced at lower temperatures possess a higher stiffness and slower water release rates. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:43:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2a8062309bb9475f80938606b6796ba7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2310-2861 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T22:43:08Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gels |
| spelling | doaj.art-2a8062309bb9475f80938606b6796ba72023-11-19T10:51:32ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612023-09-019976510.3390/gels9090765Agarose Cryogels: Production Process Modeling and Structural CharacterizationRaffaele Mancino0Diego Caccavo1Anna Angela Barba2Gaetano Lamberti3Alice Biasin4Angelo Cortesi5Gabriele Grassi6Mario Grassi7Michela Abrami8Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, SA, ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, SA, ItalyEng4Life Srl, Via Circumvallazione 39, 83100 Avellino, AV, ItalyDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, SA, ItalyDepartment of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6, 34127 Trieste, TS, ItalyDepartment of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6, 34127 Trieste, TS, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste University, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149 Trieste, TS, ItalyDepartment of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6, 34127 Trieste, TS, ItalyDepartment of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Via Valerio 6, 34127 Trieste, TS, ItalyA cryogel is a cross-linked polymer network with different properties that are determined by its manufacturing technique. The formation of a cryogel occurs at low temperatures and results in a porous structure whose pore size is affected by thermal conditions. The adjustable pore sizes of cryogels make them attractive for diverse applications. In this study, the influence of the external operational temperature, which affects the cooling and freezing rates, on the production of cryogels with 2% <i>w</i>/<i>w</i> agarose is investigated. Moreover, a mathematical model is developed to simulate the cryogel production process and provide an initial estimate of the pore size within the structure. The predictions of the model, supported by qualitative light microscopy images, demonstrate that cryogels produced at higher process temperatures exhibit larger pore sizes. Moreover, the existence of pore size distribution within the gel structure is confirmed. Finally, stress relaxation tests, coupled with an image analysis, validates that cryogels produced at lower temperatures possess a higher stiffness and slower water release rates.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/9/9/765hydrogelsmodelingequilibriumagarosecryogelsrheology |
| spellingShingle | Raffaele Mancino Diego Caccavo Anna Angela Barba Gaetano Lamberti Alice Biasin Angelo Cortesi Gabriele Grassi Mario Grassi Michela Abrami Agarose Cryogels: Production Process Modeling and Structural Characterization Gels hydrogels modeling equilibrium agarose cryogels rheology |
| title | Agarose Cryogels: Production Process Modeling and Structural Characterization |
| title_full | Agarose Cryogels: Production Process Modeling and Structural Characterization |
| title_fullStr | Agarose Cryogels: Production Process Modeling and Structural Characterization |
| title_full_unstemmed | Agarose Cryogels: Production Process Modeling and Structural Characterization |
| title_short | Agarose Cryogels: Production Process Modeling and Structural Characterization |
| title_sort | agarose cryogels production process modeling and structural characterization |
| topic | hydrogels modeling equilibrium agarose cryogels rheology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/9/9/765 |
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