Study of the physicomechanical properties and hydrolysis resistance of materials based on photopolymerizable hyaluronic acid and polyethyleneglycol diacrylate composites

Objective. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize the properties of biocompatible photopolymerizable composites based on hyaluronic acid and polyethyleneglycol diacrylate. Materials and methods. A method for chemical modification of hyaluronic acid using glycidyl methacrylate was considered. The influence of the composition of photopolymerizable polymer composites on their physical and mechanical properties, swelling rate, and resistance to degradation in vitro was studied. A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of type I photoinitiators was conducted. Results. Photopolymerizable composites containing methacrylated hyaluronic acid showed greater structural strength and a lower swelling rate in the cured samples. The highest values of strength and hydrolytic stability were demonstrated by the photopolymerizable composition containing 0.5% wt. of lithium phenyl (2.4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate), 15% wt. of methacrylated hyaluronic acid and 25% wt. of polyethylene glycol diacrylate. Conclusion. Based on the study’s results, it was concluded that polymeric materials with optimal mechanical properties and controlled degradation rates can be created by incorporating them into methacrylated hyaluronic acid.