Preparation of alginate/2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate composite beads: Role of fillers and characteristics of bead formation

Abstract

In this research, alginate composite beads were prepared. The objective was to study the effect of particle size of fillers on the viscosity of alginate solution and bead formation. The sodium alginate solution with and without 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate was dropped into calcium chloride to form the beads. The polymerization of the
2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate in the alginate matrix was occurred by using potassium persulphate as an initiator and N,N^/-methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent and N,N,N^/,N^/ -tetramethylethylenediamine in the calcium chloride solution as an accelerator.  For the preparation of the composite beads, the cotton dust, and sawdust at various ratios were mixed in the matrix. The results showed that the particle size and content of the fillers, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate had an effect on the viscosity of the alginate solution. The particle size and shape of the beads depended on the particle size of fillers and viscosity of the alginate solution.  Also, the addition of the cotton dust, sawdust, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate increased the swelling property of the beads.