Synthesis of physically cross-linked gum Arabic-based polymer hydrogels with enhanced mechanical, load bearing and shape memory behavior

The TiO2 dispersed physically cross-linked polymer hydrogels were synthesized through a single step free radical addition polymerization mechanism based on acrylic acid and gum Arabic (GA) as polymer constituents, and ferric ions (Fe3+) as physical cross-linker. The effect of TiO2 powder was investigated on thermal and mechanical properties of the hydrogels by dispersion of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03 g of TiO2 in hydrogels. The prepared hydrogels were...