ChemistrySelect, cilt.10, sa.42, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Preparing chitosan (Ch) cryogels in the form of full-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) is an advantageous approach since the IPN cryogels have a more regular and tight pore distribution and durable spongy structure, including enhanced mechanical properties and more functional groups. In the present research, Ch–Ch ([Ch]cry) and Ch-pAAm (polyacrylamide) full-IPN cryogels ([Ch-pAAm]cry) were synthesized, characterized, and then used for the immobilization of enzyme (porcine/pig liver esterase (PLE)) using the adsorption method. The results of mechanical analysis have shown that the compression elasticity modulus (E) value of [Ch-pAAm]cry full-IPN cryogel is 47 times that of [Ch]cry. The introduction of pAAm within full-IPN cryogels increases the compression strength; however, it decreases their ability for esterase immobilization and swelling degrees (Se). The esterase adsorption capacity (XL) values are 90.7 and 13.4 mg g−1 for [Ch]cry and [Ch-pAAm]cry, respectively. Adsorption equilibrium time of [Ch]cry is shorter (360 min) than [Ch-pAAm]cry (600 min). According to Km values, the order of affinity for the 4-nitrophenyl acetate (pNPA) substrate is [Ch-pAAm]cry (6.9 mM) > [Ch]cry (22.1 mM) > free enzyme (60.4 mM). The porosity parameter, Vp (cm3 pore (g dry cryogel)−1, was calculated to be 36.18 ± 4.77 for [Ch]cry and 5.00 ± 0.76 for [Ch-pAAm]cry, indicating that [Ch]cry had larger pores than [Ch-pAAm]cry.