SÍNTESIS Y CARACTERIZACIÓN DE HIDROGELES POLIMÉRICOS FUNCIONALIZADOS CON MICROPARTÍCULAS MAGNÉTICAS

Rosa Ormaza Hugo; Yajaira Abigail  Mayorga; Juan Daniel  Lagua Chango; Erik Zurita Fiallos; Valeria Flores Lema; Julio Coello-Cabezas

doi:10.47187/perf.v1i35.367

Authors

Rosa Ormaza Hugo Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Facultad de Ingeniería, Riobamba, Ecuador
Yajaira Abigail Mayorga American Association of Physicists in Medicine, Alexandría, Estados Unidos
Juan Daniel Lagua Chango Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba, Ecuador
Erik Zurita Fiallos Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba, Ecuador
Valeria Flores Lema Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba, Ecuador
Julio Coello-Cabezas Ciencia Escrita - Consultora, Riobamba, Ecuador

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47187/perf.v1i35.367

Keywords:

Hydrogel, Microparticles, Functionalization, Inverse Microemulsion, Polymerization

Abstract

The objective of this study was to synthesize magnetic microparticles via chemical coprecipitation and incorporate them into polymeric hydrogels produced by inverse microemulsion. In the hydrogel synthesis stage, the agarose concentration (0.04%, 0.05%, and 0.06% w/w), the melting temperature (50, 60, and 70 °C), and the homogenization time (7, 10, and 15 minutes) were evaluated. The particles and hydrogels were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and refractometry. The results showed that the most stable sample was obtained with 0.05% agarose, at 60 °C, and 10 minutes of homogenization (treatment 5). The characterization confirmed the presence of Fe–O–Fe bonds, microparticles with crystalline morphology, and an average size of 15 µm. A stable emulsion with homogeneously distributed microparticles was obtained. Refractometry indicated Brix values of up to 72.70%, suggesting efficient microparticle retention. Statistical analysis showed that all factors and their interactions had a significant influence on hydrogel functionalization. These findings demonstrate that hydrogels functionalized with magnetic microparticles exhibit high loading capacity and potential for biomedical applications.

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