This experiment sets out to create shock absorbing polysaccharide hydrogels with mechanical properties that could be changed in the presence of light. To form gels with polysaccharides the transition metal ions, Fe3+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Co2+ were used as coordination complexes. Solutions of various concentrations of the polysaccharides Alginate and Chitosan were soaked in solutions of each ion and their mechanical properties were measured. The gels were then exposed to 405nm light and their UV-Vis spectra were measured as well as their mechanical properties again. The results of the experiment indicated Co2+ exhibited the best potential for ideal shock absorbing hydrogel behavior. It also indicated the ability to be reduced by light after being oxidized to Co3+.

Mechanical and photochemical properties of polysaccharide-based, metal-coordinated hydrogels

255th National Meeting (2018)

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