ABSTRACT
Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) are “alloys” of cross-linked polymers, at least one of them being synthesized and/or cross-linked within the immediate presence of the other, without any covalent bonds between them, which cannot be separated unless chemical bonds are broken (Myung et al. 2008, Sperling 1994, 2005). According to the chemistry of preparation, IPN can be classied into (1) simultaneous IPN, when both network precursors are mixed and the two networks are synthesized at the same time by independent, noninterfering routs such as chain and stepwise polymerization (Myung et al. 2008, Sperling 2005, Wang and Liu 2013),
11.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 281 11.2 IPN Composite Hydrogels Based on Polysaccharides .................................. 282
11.2.1 Alginate-Based IPN Composite Hydrogels ...................................... 282 11.2.2 Chitosan-Based IPN Composite Hydrogels ...................................... 283 11.2.3 IPN Hydrogels Based on Starch and Derivatives .............................287 11.2.4 IPN Hydrogels Based on Other Polysaccharides ..............................290 11.2.5 IPN Hydrogels Based on Synthetic Polymers ...................................292
