Hydrogels Based on Gellan and a Graft Copolymer of Pullulan with Poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) Side Groups

In this work, a three-component system is obtained based on gellan, a graft copolymer of pullulan with side chains of poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline), and CaCl2, which is capable of forming gels upon contact with an aqueous solution of NaCl. Such a composition can be used for medical purposes, in particular for the treatment of ophthalmological diseases. In this work, the molecular characteristics of the initial components of the gel are obtained and its viscoelastic properties are studied. It was established that graft copolymers of pullulan with poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) are integrated into the gel composition, while an increase in their proportion reduces its elastic properties. The obtained gel retain elastic properties upon heating up to 70°C.