greater extent of crosslinking
typically produces more stable hydrogels. As alluded to previously,
the 5:5 Odex-III/CEC hydrogel has the highest crosslinking density
and therefore, degraded considerably slower. The 7:3 Odex-III/CEC
hydrogel degraded slower than the 3:7 Odex-III/CEC hydrogel,
although their theoretical crosslinking density was comparable.
This indicated that not only the hydrolytic susceptibility of the
Schiff base but also the degradation of both Odex and CEC are
important in breaking down of the hydrogel.