Visualization of internal morphology of hydrogels based on polyvinyl alcohol in comparison with the indirect method of structural characterization

abstract

English

The functionality of hydrogels, determining their potential use in a wide range of applications, is defined by a combination of their crucial material properties, such as swelling dynamics, elasticity, and mechanical strength. The essence of these properties guaranteeing hydrogels’ unique qualities is rooted in their structure. Therefore, the ability to analyze these parameters in high resolution plays a significant role in the optimization and control of the functionality of hydrogels. In general, possibilities to characterize hydrogels' internal architecture can be divided into two groups, indirect and direct methods. Indirect methods cannot provide information about appearance (e.g., pore shapes); however, they can present some information about internal architecture. Direct methods are convenient techniques since we can observe internal architecture, shape, and size of pores, etc. However, common and available methods (e.g., scanning electron microscopy – SEM) require samples in a dry state. That is undesirable since the process of dehydration commonly leads to an increased likelihood of creating structural artifacts and providing misleading information. Alternatively, atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be used to image the topography of soft biological materials in their native environments.

hydrogel, structural analysis, SEM, cryo-SEM, AFM

TRUDIČOVÁ, M.; ZAHRÁDKA, J.; MRÁZOVÁ, K.; HRUBANOVÁ, K.; SMILEK, J.; SEDLÁČEK, P.; PEKAŘ, M.

4. 9. 2022

Czechoslovak Microscopy Society

Brno

402

402

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