Non-bond crosslinked polymer hydrogels

Non-bond crosslinked polymer hydrogels of N-vinyl pyrrolidone were obtained by copolymerization with the cross linking agent cyclic octaethylene glycol fumarate, a 29-membered ring, having a polymerizable double bond. Threading of polymer chains into the macrocyclic rings is the cause for the crosslinking. These hydrogels showed a high swelling capacity in water, which could be controlled either by varying the molar ratio of monomer/crosslinking agent or through copolymerization with different concentrations of hydrophobic monomers.