Preparation of Photocurable Hydrogel by Modifying Collagen with Itaconic Anhydride

Collagen was modified with itaconic anhydride and photocurable hydrogel was prepared by uv irradiation. Simultaneously, the influence of substitution degree on the properties of the photocurable hydrogel was studied. On this basis, the optimal substitution degree of itaconic anhydride was determined. The results showed that with the increase of substitution degree, the hydrogel formation time was prolonged and the pore size decreased, while the rheology and swelling of the hydrogel increased first and then decreased. In addition, the bacteriostasis of the hydrogel was positively correlated with the substitution degree. The optimum substitution degree of itaconic anhydride was 70.4%, and the curing time was 150 s. Meanwhile, the storage modulus and loss modulus of hydrogel were the highest, which were 358.07 Pa and 45.93 Pa respectively. Moreover, the swelling rate was as high as 37.65, and the hydrogel had certain bacteriostasis. The photocurable hydrogel prepared in this study has high swelling and mechanical strength and simultaneously certain antibacterial properties, which can be used to develop wound dressings.