Structure-Property Relationship in Cationic Surfactant/Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Hydrogels and Cryogels: Role of Headgroup and Counterion Dissociation.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the factors governing the rheological properties of hydrogels and the mechanical properties of the corresponding cryogels obtained by freeze-drying is crucial for diverse applications. In this study, we investigated how incorporating three cationic surfactants, namely, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), each at 20 mM, affects the rheological behavior of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) aqueous solutions (30 g L^-1) and the mechanical properties of the resulting cryogels. Among the systems studied, CTAC-containing hydrogels showed the highest storage modulus of G' and the longest relaxation time (τ = 0.685 s), indicating a denser network favored by enhanced counterion dissociat

SUBMITTER: Astuto VB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12658781 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature