Glucose-Sensitive Hydrogels for the Controlled Release of Insulin

Hydrogels with an increased content of fine pores are synthesized via the copolymerization of acrylamide with N-(2-D-glucose) acrylamide and N,N-methylenebis(acrylamide) in the presence of concanavalin A and mercaptoacetic acid. Insulin introduced into the hydrogels is spontaneously released in response to increase in the concentration of glucose in the environment via a two-step mechanism similar to that in the case of the pancreas and the maximum rate is observed at the first stage.     

Polarographic Determination of Pb(II) and Cd(II) with Selective Removal of Se(IV) Using Ionic Poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-dimethylacrylamide-co-allylthiourea)

Hydrogels based on N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm), allylthiourea (ATU), and maleic acid (MA) were synthesized by free-radical cross-linking copolymerization in water with N,N-methylene-bis(acrylamide) (BAAm) as the cross-linker, ammonium persulfate (APS) as the initiator, and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylenediamine (TEMED) as the activator. Since Se(IV) is the most serious interfering element in the electroanalytical (polarographic or voltammetric) determination of lead and cadmium, a new method for their correct determination after selective separation of the interfering ion (selenite) was developed by using poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-allylthiourea) [P(DMAAm-co-ATU)] hydrogels containing reducing pedant groups like allylthiourea. The proposed method showed good reproducibility and accuracy with relative standard deviations of 8.5 and 3.4% and relative errors of ?6.0 and ?5.4% for the determination of 5.0 × 10^?5 M Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively, next to 3.0 × 10^?5 M Se(IV).     

Phase transition temperature controllable poly(acrylamide-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-acrylic acid) nanocomposite physical hydrogels with high strength

Poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) nanocomposite physical (P(AAm-co-AAc)NCP) hydrogels have been prepared through the in situ free radical solution polymerization based on a “single network, dual cross-linkings” strategy. The P(AAm-co-AAc) NCP hydrogels are composed of nanobrushes of P(AAm-co-AAc) chains grafted on the surface of vinylhybrid silica nanoparticles (VSNPs). In the hydrogel system, the VSNPs act as the “analogous chemical cross-linking points” once the hydrogen bonds formed between the P(AAm-co-AAc) chains of the nanobrushes, thus leading to the fabrication of high-strength P(AAm-co-AAc) NCP hydrogels. Compared with conventional thermosensitive P(AAm-co-AAc) hydrogels, the P(AAm-co-AAc) NCP hydrogels have a broader range of phase transition temperature, which can be adjusted by altering the monomer ratio, the VSNPs concentration, the addition of urea and N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm). At the same time, the mechanical properties of the P(AAm-co-AAc) NCP hydrogels have been improved significantly by the introduction of VSNPs. Furthermore, both the phase transition and the tensile strength of the P(AAm-co-AAc) NCP hydrogels are largely influenced when Fe³⁺ ions are introduced as the ionic crosslinkers into the hydrogel networks.     

Structure and characteristics of organic-inorganic hybrid hydrogels based on poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vinylcaprolactam)-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>

In the reaction system of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam)-water-tetramethoxysilane, the effect of concentrations and ratios between compounds on the structure and characteristics of the formed organicinorganic hybrid hydrogels based on poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) and silica particles is studied. When the over-all concentration of precursors is increased, the number of bonds between hydrogel components increases, and an increase in the number of network crosslinks is provided by an increased fraction of tetramethoxysilane. The method of small-angle X-ray analysis is used to estimate quantitative structural characteristics of silica particles in hydrogels. Silica particles are found to form a fractal three-dimensional structure, which is composed of individual compact clusters with lateral dimensions of 40–60 Å. The average linear dimensions of scattering anisometric particles are 100 × 120 × 360 three-dimensional structure is proposed for hydrogel formed via the interaction of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) macromolecules and silica nano-particles. The average distance between silica particles is estimated.     

Rheological behavior and reversible swelling of pH sensitive poly(acrylamide-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-itaconic acid) hydrogels

The study involved preparation of poly(acrylamide-co-itaconic acid) hydrogels by radical cross-linking copolymerization. The copolymer hydrogels were characterized through infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, swelling measurements and in oscillatory and steady shear rheology. Results showed that more stable copolymers were formed due to the strong interaction in the hydrogels. These hydrogels have shown substantial percent swelling in water and shrinking in saline solution and acidic buffers. The rheological properties were described by the Herschel-Bulkley and power-law models to explore their non-Newtonian behavior. The results showed that higher itaconic acid content raised the polymer viscosity; the degree of shear-thinning and polymer elasticity (G′) were also increased. The transition from the viscous (G′ < G″) to the predominant viscoelastic behavior (G′ > G″) occurs at a crossover frequency ranged from 17.8 rad/s for polyacrylamide to 15.7, 12.8 and 12.5 rad/s for copolymers.     

Network Paired Polymers Based on Poly(acrylic acid)

Network paired polymers (interpolymers) capable of limited swelling in aqueous media accompanied by the formation of polyelectrolyte hydrogels exhibiting рН and thermal sensitivity are synthesized by the reactions of poly(acrylic acid) with poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) modified by the introduction of anchor oxirane moieties.     

Synthesis,characterization and properties of pineapple peel cellulose-<Emphasis Type="Italic">g</Emphasis>-acrylic acid hydrogel loaded with kaolin and sepia ink

Novel composite hydrogels were synthesized by grafting of acrylic acid onto pineapple peel cellulose and addition of kaolin or sepia ink in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, using potassium persulfate as a free radical initiator and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent. The structure and morphology of the prepared hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. Kaolin and sepia ink improved the thermal stability of the hydrogels. Swelling studies on the prepared hydrogels indicated sepia ink and kaolin affected the swelling ratio and pH-responsive properties. The optimum swelling pH value for the hydrogels was shifted from 7.0 to 12.0 in the presence of sepia ink. The effects of kaolin and sepia ink contents on methylene blue adsorption capacity of the prepared hydrogels were also investigated. The optimum methylene blue adsorption capacity reached 153.85 mg/g at 10% of kaolin and 142.21 mg/g at 20% of sepia ink. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model fit well with the experimental results, indicating the adsorption was chemisorption behavior.     

Tough poly(L-DOPA)-containing Double Network Hydrogel Beads with High Capacity of Dye Adsorption

Developing a low-cost and well-recyclable adsorbent with high adsorption capacity is greatly desirable in dye wastewater treatment. Here, we demonstrate a kind of novel tough and reusable hydrogel beads with quite high capacity of dye adsorption via incorporating mussel-bioinspired poly(L-DOPA) (PDOPA) into alginate/poly(acrylamide) double network (DN) hydrogels. The synthesized PDOPA nanoaggregates were introduced into the DN hydrogels by simple one-pot mixing with the monomers prior to polymerization. The fabricated hydrogel beads exhibited high mechanical strength and good elastic recovery due to the interpenetrating Ca²⁺-alginate and poly(acrylamide) networks. It was shown that the beads exhibited relatively high dye adsorption capacity compared to other adsorbents reported in literature, and the introduction of PDOPA with an appropriate amount raised the adsorption capacity. It is believed that the addition of PDOPA and the matrix of double network architecture contributed synergistically to the high adsorption capacity of hydrogel beads. Moreover, the desorption of dyes could be easily realized via rinsing in acidic water and ethanol solution. The hydrogel beads remained the high adsorption capacity even after 5 times of adsorption and desorption cycles. This tough and stable hydrogel with high adsorption capacity may have potential in treatment of dye wastewater released by textile dyeing industry.     

Enzyme responsive supramolecular hydrogels assembled from nonionic peptide amphiphiles

Smart peptide hydrogels are of great interest for their great potential applications. Here, we report a facile approach to prepare a class of enzyme-responsive hydrogels in a scalable manner. These hydrogels self-assemble from a family of nonionic peptide amphiphiles(PAs) synthesized by sequential ring-opening polymerization(ROP) of γ-benzyl-L-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride(BLG-NCA) and L-tyrosine N-carboxyanhydride(Tyr-NCA), followed by subsequent aminolysis. These PA samples can readily form a clear hydrogel with a critical gelation concentration as low as 0.5 wt%. The incorporation of tyrosine residues offers hydrophobicity, hydrogen-bonding interaction and enzyme-responsive properties. The hydrogel-to-nanogel transition is observed under physiological conditions in the presence of horseradish peroxidase(HRP) and hydrogen peroxide(H2 O2). The obtained PA hydrogels are ideal candidates for the new generation of smart scaffolds.     

Preparation and properties of physically and chemically cross-linked hybrid hydrophobic association hydrogels with good mechanical strength

To correct the defects of hydrophobic association hydrogels(HA-gels), new physically and chemically cross-linked hybrid hydrophobic association hydrogels(hybrid HA-gels) were prepared by radical copolymerization of acrylamide(AM), octylphenol polyoxyethylene(n) acrylate(OPn AC, n stands for the number of ethoxy group, and is 10 and 21) and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide(MBA). On the basis of the statistical molecular theory of rubber elastic, the Mooney-Rivlin model and using the tensile true stress(σ_true) tested at room temperature, the number of network strands per unit volume(υ_0) and the number-average molar mass of a network strand(M_c) were evaluated for hybrid HA-gels. For the hydrogels, the effect of the content of MBA and OP10 AC on their tensile mechanical properties was studied by using υ_0 and M_c; also, the effect of the compositions and temperature on their swelling behavior in distilled water was discussed in detail. In addition, hybrid HA-gels including a small quantity of MBA possessed the capabilities of secondary self-healing and remolding. In contrast with HA-gels prepared by the same compositions besides MBA, hybrid HA-gels showed good mechanical strength and long-term thermal stability in distilled water in the range of 25 to 80 °C. Furthermore, hybrid HA-gels also avoided the self-deswelling behavior of HA-gels. The results show that the application fields of HA-gels will be greatly broadened after introducing a chemical cross-linking network.     

Thermo- and pH- dual responsive inorganic-organic hybrid hydrogels with tunable luminescence

A thermo- and pH- dual responsive luminescent hydrogel was successfully constructed by coupling dysprosium-containing polyoxometalates Na₉DyW₁₀O₃₆ (DyW₁₀) with the ABA triblock copolymer, where the B block is PEO and the A block is the thermosensitive poly(methoxydi(ethylene glycol) methacrylate-co-N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate). The complex hybrid underwent a sol-gel phase transition above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the A block. DyW₁₀ was electrostatically encapsulated into the hydrophobic domain of the A block with enhanced photoluminescence. When temperature cooled down, the luminescence could be restored. By addition of acids to protonate the A block, and emission of DyW₁₀ was simultaneously enhanced. Sensitivity of poly(N,N-dimethy laminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) to pH also enabled the emission of DyW₁₀/copolymer hydrogel to be reversibly switched by alternating acid/base treatments.     

The effect of external stimuli on the Bovine Serum Albumin adsorption capacity of poly(acrylamide/maleic acid) hydrogels prepared by gamma rays

The effects of external stimuli such as pH of the buffer solution, ionic strength, temperature and the amount of poly-electrolyte monomer in the hydrogel system on the Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) adsorption capacity of poly(acrylamide/maleic acid) [P(AAm/MA)] hydrogels were investigated. Poly-electrolyte P(AAm/MA) hydrogels with varying compositions were prepared by irradiating acrylamide/maleic acid/water mixtures with γ rays at ambient temperature. Langmuir type adsorption isotherms were observed for all prepared hydrogels. Increase of ionic strength of the buffer solution from 0.01 to 0.1 mol dm⁻³ decreased the adsorption capacity of hydrogels and zero adsorption was observed in the presence of 0.1 mol dm⁻³ Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ ion in the adsorption medium. The adsorption capacity of hydrogels was found to increase from 0 to 120 mg BSA/g dry gel, by changing external stimuli and hydrogel composition.     

Features of the Interaction of Alcian Blue with Gels Based on Copolymer of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Vinylcaprolactam and Methacrylic Acid

The interaction of N-vinylcaprolactam–methacrylic acid copolymer hydrogel and N-vinylcaprolactam homopolymer hydrogel with alcian blue in aqueous solutions is studied. It is shown that copolymer gel are thermo- and pH-sensitive. Dye sorption by the copolymer gel and gel swelling degree depends on the pH of the solution. The features of the system behavior resulting from the pH sensitivity of both the gel and the dye are shown. The thermocollapse of gels incubated in aqueous solutions of alcian blue is studied. It is shown that the transition temperature of N-vinylcaprolactam–sodium methacrylate copolymer gel to the collapsed state decreases with the dye absorption. The temperature-induced collapse of homopolymer gels in dye solutions is reversible, while the copolymer gel mass restores incompletely during the return temperature decrease. The dye absorption by the copolymer gel leads to decreased hysteresis.     

Solvent dependent swelling behaviour of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vinylcaprolactam) and poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vinylcaprolactam-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-itaconic acid) gels and determination of solubility parameters

Swelling behaviour of poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PVC) and poly(N-vinylcaprolactam-co-itaconic acid) (P(VC-co-IA)) gels was investigated in different solvents (water, ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), chloroform, toluene, acetone) and in binary solvent mixtures (ethanol/chloroform, ethanol/methanol, IPA/chloroform, ethanol/water, IPA/water). Gels were synthesised in ethanol by the free radical cross-linking polymerisation method at 60°C for 24 h in the presence of azo-bis(isobutyronitrile) and allyl methacrylate as the initiator and cross-linker, respectively. And also, ethanol/distilled water mixture (?_r = 4:1) was used as the synthesis medium to determine its effect on the swelling of gels. It was found that the presence of water in the synthesis medium significantly affected the equilibrium swelling value (ESV) and the swelling tendency of gels both in solvents and in solvent mixtures. All gels synthesised in ethanol showed the highest swelling in chloroform. The gels synthesised in the ethanol/water mixture displayed different swelling behaviour. In this case, while chloroform was still valid for maximum swelling of PVC, P(VC-co-IA) had the highest swelling in methanol. Solubility parameters of gels were predicted by the van Krevelen-Hoftyzer (VKH) and Hoy methods (group contribution methods) and theoretical calculations verified the experimental swelling order.     

Copolymer of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-diallyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethylammonium chloride with maleic acid as drug carrier

A copolymer of N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride with maleic acid of constant composition was prepared under the conditions of radical initiation. The possibility of the functionalization of the copolymer with drugs containing amino groups by polymer-analogous transformations was examined. Conditions were found for preparing conjugates of the copolymer with isoniazid. The structures and the quantitative compositions of the conjugates were determined by ¹³С NMR spectroscopy, and the possibility of preparing conjugates with controlled drug content was demonstrated.     

Complexation of sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate-monoethanolamine vinyl ether copolymer with polyelectrolytes in aqueous medium

A new water-soluble polyelectrolyte—the copolymer of sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate and monoethanolamine vinyl ether—has been synthesized by free-radical copolymerization. The concentration behavior of the reduced viscosity of copolymer solutions that is typical for polyelectrolytes has been revealed. The reactivity ratios of the monomers have been measured. These values indicate a lower reactivity of monoethanolamine vinyl ether than that of sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate. The complexation of this copolymer with poly(acrylic acid) and poly(N,N-dimethyl-N,N-diallylammonium chloride) has been studied. It has been found that the copolymer demonstrates the polyampholytic behavior and is able to form interpolymer complexes both with polycations and polyanions. It has been established that the polycomplex of the copolymer with polyacrylic acid has the unfolded structure due to the presence of sulfonate groups uninvolved in complexation, while the complex of the copolymer with poly(N,N-dimethyl-N,N-diallylammonium chloride) is compact owing to enhancement of hydrophobic interactions, and the sizes of its species are of the order of 80 nm.     

Radical copolymerization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-diallyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-dimethylammonium chloride and maleic acid in various solvents

Radical copolymerization of N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride with maleic acid in various solvents was studied. The solvent effect on the relative activity of the monomers and the possibility of preparing copolymers of preset composition were examined.     

Hydrogels of chemically cross-linked and organ-metallic complexed interpenetrating PEG networks

The aim of the present work was to prepare a well-defined hydrogel of chemically cross-linked and organ-metallic complexed interpenetrating PEG networks. The hydrogel was synthesized via the reaction of copper(I)- catalyzed 1,3-dipolar azide-alkyne cycloaddition(CuA AC) with poly(ethylene glycol)-dopamine(PEG-DA)("Click Chemistry") followed by complexation with Fe~(3+) ions to crosslink the polymeric network. The chemical composition and morphology of the resulting hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), ~1H-NMR and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). Swelling ratio, mechanical strength, conductivity, and degradation behaviors of the hydrogels were also studied. The effect of the polymer chain length on properties of hydrogels was explored. The compressive strength of hydrogels could reach as high as 13.1 MPa with a conductivity of 2.2 × 10~(-5) S·cm~(-1). The hydrogels also exhibited excellent thermal stability even at a temperature of 300 °C, whereas degradation of the hydrogel after 7 weeks was observed under a physiological condition. In addition, the hydrogel exhibited a good biocompatibility based on its in vivo performance through an in vivo subcutaneous implantation model. No inflammation and no obvious abnormality of the surrounding tissue were observed when the hydrogel was subcutaneously implanted for 2 weeks. This work is a step towards creating a new pathway to synthesize hydrogels of interpenetrating networks which could be of important applications in the future research.     

Adsorption of bovine serum albumin to acrylamide–itaconic acid hydrogels

In this study, acrylamide–itaconic acid hydrogels containing different amounts of itaconic acid prepared by irradiating with γ radiation are discussed. They have been used in experiments of swelling, diffusion and bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption. Maximum and minimum swellings were observed with water (1520%) and BSA (890%), respectively. Diffusion of water, NaCl and BSA within hydrogels were found to be non-Fickian in character. In the experiments of BSA adsorption, type III adsorption was found. The hydrogel prepared with 60 mg itaconic acid and irradiated at 2.00 kGy was found to be the best adsorption system for BSA. The adsorption capacity of acrylamide–itaconic acid hydrogel was found to exceed that of acrylamide hydrogel by more than 80–100%.     

Behavior of sodium polyacrylate hydrogels in copper sulfate solutions

The behavior of hydrogels based on sodium acrylate cross-linked to different extents with N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) was examined in aqueous solutions of copper sulfate of concentrations within 0.1–0.001 M.