Optimization Studies of Cryogel Scaffolds Prepared Using Different Chitosan and Polyvinyl Alcohol Ratios

Cryogels are scaffolds structured with interconnected porous matrices produced from frozen solutions of monomeric or polymeric initiators. These scaffolds are seen as unique candidates with desirable properties for the different biomedical fields including tissue engineering, wound dressing, and drug delivery systems. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PVA); and chitosan insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CS); were used to fabricate PVA:CS composite cryogels. Cryogels prepared at different polymer ratios were evaluated in terms of chemical structure, morphology, porosity, and swelling ratio. The chemical structure of composite cryogels was determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(FTIR);. The interconnected pore morphology was observed using Scanning Electron Microscopy insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SEM);. Porosity and swelling ratio values were determined based on the weight change of the cryogels. In general, all samples exhibited a porous structure, and it was revealed that porosity and other properties differ according to the ratio of each polymer in the scaffolds.