Design and Characterization of HEMA-Based 3D-Printed Hydrogel Networks for Optical Biomaterial Applications
Journal of Applied Polymer Science, cilt.143, sa.13, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 143 Sayı: 13
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1002/app.70341
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Applied Polymer Science
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, INSPEC
- Anahtar Kelimeler: biocompatibility, biomaterials, biomedical applications, mechanical properties, spectroscopy
- Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
HEMA-based hydrogels are promising biomaterials for biomedical and optical applications because of their tunable mechanical, optical, and biological properties. In this study, a series of 3D-printable HEMA hydrogel networks were prepared using PEGDA (Mw: 700 Da) and EGDMA as crosslinkers, and their chemical, physical, mechanical, optical, rheological, and biological properties were systematically investigated. Mechanical analysis revealed that HEMA:EGDMA (1:0.5) exhibited the highest tensile strength (6.70 MPa) with limited elongation (4.14%), whereas HEMA:PEGDA (1:1) showed superior flexibility (31.21% elongation) but lower tensile strength (0.76 MPa). The contact angle measurements ranged from 36.1° to 74.2°, indicating enhanced hydrophilicity in PEGDA-rich formulations and increased hydrophobicity with higher EGDMA content. Optical transmittance analysis showed that HEMA:EGDMA (1:0.5) achieved the highest clarity (93.5% at 600 nm), followed by HEMA:PEGDA (1:1) with 89.0%. Reflectance spectroscopy further demonstrated that both the crosslinker type and water content of the formulation critically affected the transparency and UV reflectance. The equilibrium water content (EWC) varied from 12% to 35%, depending on the formulation composition. Biocompatibility studies using MTT assays and immunofluorescence staining on HDF cells confirmed that all hydrogel networks maintained cell viability above 60% over 24, 48, and 72 h, supporting their potential for use in optical biomaterial applications.