Microstructured polyacrylamide hydrogels made with hydrophobic nanoparticles

Poly(methyl methacrylate) nanosize particles, made by microemulsion polymerization, were dispersed in an acrylamide aqueous solution, which was polymerized in the presence of a cross-linking agent to yield microstructured hydrogels. The kinetics of swelling and the mechanical properties of these hydrogels were investigated as a function of concentration of particles. The microstructured hydrogels exhibit higher equilibrium swelling and larger Young modulus than conventional (that is, without particles) polyacrylamide hydrogel. The morphology of the microstructured hydrogels was examined by transmission electron microscopy.     

Thermoresponsive nanostructured poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels made via inverse microemulsion polymerization

The synthesis of nanostructured poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (polyNIPA) hydrogels by a two-stage polymerization process is reported here. The process involves the synthesis of slightly crosslinked polyNIPA nanoparticles by inverse (w/o) microemulsion polymerization; then, these particles are dried, cleaned and dispersed in an aqueous solution of NIPA and a crosslinking agent (N,N-methylene-bis-acrylamide or NMBA) and polymerized to produce the nanostructured hydrogels. Their swelling and de-swelling kinetics, volume phase transition temperatures (T _VPT) and mechanical properties at the equilibrium swollen state are investigated as a function of the weight ratio of polyNIPA particles to monomer (NIPA). The nanostructured gels exhibit larger equilibrium water uptake, faster swelling and de-swelling rates and similar T _VPT than those of the conventional ones; moreover, the elastic and Young moduli are larger than those of the conventional hydrogels at similar swelling ratios. The fast swelling and de-swelling kinetics are explained in terms of the controlled inhomogeneities introduced by the method of synthesis.     

Thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanogels/poly(acrylamide) nanostructured hydrogels

Here we report the preparation and characterization of nanostructured thermo-responsive poly(acrylamide) (PAM)-based hydrogels. The addition of slightly crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) nanogels to AM reactive aqueous solution produces nanostructured hydrogels that exhibit a volume phase transition temperature (T_VPT). Their swelling kinetics, T_VPT's and mechanical properties at the equilibrium-swollen state (H_eq) are investigated as a function of the concentration of PNIPA nanogels in the nanostructured hydrogels. Nanostructured hydrogels with PNIPA nanogels/AM mass ratios of 20/80 and above exhibit higher H_eq and longer time to reach the equilibrium swelling than those of the conventional PAM hydrogels. However, the PNIPA nanogels possess thermo-responsive character missing in conventional PAM hydrogels. The T_VPT of nanostructured hydrogels depends on PNIPA nanogel content but their elastic and Young moduli are larger than those of conventional hydrogels at similar swelling ratios. Swelling kinetics, T_VPT, and mechanical properties are explained in terms of the controlled in-homogeneities introduced by the PNIPA nanogels during the polymerization.     

Tailoring thermoresponsive nanostructured poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels made with poly(acrylamide) nanoparticles

The thermoresponsive behavior and mechanical properties of nanostructured hydrogels, which consist of poly(acrylamide) nanoparticles embedded in a cross-linked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel matrix, are reported here. Nanostructured hydrogels exhibit a tuned volume phase transition temperature (T _VPT), which varies with nanoparticle content in the range from 32 up to 39–40 °C. Moreover, larger equilibrium water uptake, faster swelling and de-swelling rates, and larger equilibrium swelling at 25 °C were obtained with nanostructured hydrogels compared with those of conventional ones. Elastic and Young’s moduli were larger than those of conventional hydrogels at similar swelling ratios. The tuned T _VPT and the de-swelling rate were predicted with a modified Flory–Rehner equation coupled with a mixing rule that considers the contribution of both polymers. These behaviors are explained by a combination of hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions and by the controlled inhomogeneities (nanoparticles) introduced by the method of synthesis.     

Protein encapsulation and release from degradable sugar based hydrogels

Acid labile sugar based hydrogels have been synthesized using a commercially available acid sensitive cross-linker, 3,9-divinyl-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro-[5,5]-undecane. The monomers used for polymerization are N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and d-gluconamidoethyl methacrylate (GAMA), which when polymerized in the presence of the acid labile cross-linker yield hydrogels that can swell and degrade under acidic conditions, making them ideal for drug delivery. The hydrogels are synthesized using either a photo-initiator, Irgacure-2959 or a conventional initiator, potassium persulfate. The hydrogels obtained by photo-polymerization exhibit defined and unique microstructures, when analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The swelling capacity and protein release from the hydrogels as a function of pH is studied. The protein release from the hydrogels is found to be dependent upon the degree of cross-linking and the pH of the environment.     

Frontal polymerization as a new method for developing drug controlled release systems (DCRS) based on polyacrylamide

Stimuli-responsive polymers are macromolecular materials that undergo changes in response to small external stimuli in the environmental conditions. Among stimuli-responsive hydrogels are several polyacrylamides. Frontal polymerization is a fast, easy and inexpensive polymerization technique used for the synthesis of macromolecules.Aim of this work was the evaluation of the Frontal polymerization technique as new method for the preparation of controlled release dosage forms in which drug loading and polymer preparation occur together, as well as the possibility of obtaining more dosage units by a unique preparation. Hydrogels based on polyacrylamide containing diclofenac sodium salt were prepared using the Frontal polymerization and compared with similar systems obtained by the classic batch method. Polymers characterized by three different degree of cross-linking were prepared. The stability of the drug during the sample preparation was evaluated by IR analysis. The obtained samples were characterized in terms of drug content, morphology, in vitro drug release and swelling properties. Samples were studied also divided into disks. The results show that hydrogels based on polyacrylamide can be prepared by Frontal polymerization; these samples show similar properties to those obtained by batch polymerization. The drug is stable in the polymerization reaction conditions. Samples characterized by the lowest degree of cross-linking show drug loading values always higher than samples with the highest one regardless of the preparation method employed. The swelling ratio decreases as the degree of cross-linking increases. Loaded samples swell more than drug free ones. From a single preparation of hydrogel, three disks showing same drug content and in vitro release behaviour can be obtained and thus they can be used as three single dosage units.     

Effect of different electrolytes on the swelling properties of calyx[4]pyrrole-containing polyacrylamide membranes

Calix[4]pyrrole (1) was synthesized and characterized and this macrocycle was incorporated in polyacrylamide gels. The presence of meso-octamethyl-porphyrinogen inside of gel was checked using infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and swelling studies. The swelling degree of these hydrogels in equilibrium with different electrolytes (NaCl, LiCl, KCl, CaCl₂ and AlCl₃) was measured in a concentration range 0.1-0.5 mol dm⁻³. Although no significant alterations in the swelling degree can be found for the different 1:1 electrolytes, when the cation charge of unsymmetrical electrolytes increases, the gel swells in a significant way. This swelling process is enhanced by the presence of calyx[4]pyrrole. The effect of alkaline hydrolysis of polaycrylamide-based hydrogels was also studied. The hydrolysed hydrogels collapse in the presence of the electrolytes; this behavior is dependent on the hydrolysis degree, electrolyte charge and calyx[4]pyrrole presence and concentration; the latter leads to polyacrylamide with tailor-made properties.     

Synthesis of the Functional Hydrogels: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Threaded onto the PEG Backbones Via RAFT

Functional poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogels were prepared by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of NIPAM in the presence of four-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (4A-PEG) as backbone and 4-cyanopentanoic acid dithiobenzoate functional α -cyclodextrin threaded onto the PEG as chain transfer reagent (CTA).The structure of the hydrogels was characterized in detail with FTIR techniques. The analytical results demonstrated that α -cyclodextrin remains in as-obtained hydrogels. The swelling behavior was investigated and the functional hydrogels (functional gels) showed accelerated shrinking kinetics and higher swelling ratio comparing with conventional hydrogel (CG). It could be attributed to the presence of dangling chains. The hydrogel exhibited rapid swelling and deswelling kinetics. In principle, the hydrogel might find a number of applications including an on-off system and drug delivery systems.     

Electric‐field‐controlled synthesis of HPMA hydrogels containing self‐organized arrays of micro‐channels

We report the synthesis of poly N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide ordered arrays of fluid filled channels. The polymerization and crosslinking reactions are carried out under the influence of a constant electric field (60 V/cm). A charged comonomer, immobiline (pK 3.6), and porogen, polyethylene glycol (PEG) are added to the pregel solutions. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the channels have a typical diameter of 2–25 μm and are oriented parallel to the electric field employed during synthesis. The self‐organization of channels occurs around an optimal PEG concentration of 8.6 wt/vol %, whereas significantly higher or lower concentrations yield random, isotropic pore structures. Moreover, tensile strength measurements show that the mechanical stability increases with decreasing concentration of PEG. Rheology experiments reveal that the swelling degree of these superabsorbant hydrogels increases with increasing PEG. Possible applications of these microstructured hydrogels as bidirectional scaffolds for regenerating neurons in the injured spinal cord are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2593–2600, 2007     

TEMPERATURE AND pH RESPONSE, AND SWELLING BEHAVIOR OF POROUS ACRYLONITRILE-ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER HYDROGELS

Macroporous acrylonitrile-acrylic acid （AN-AA） copolymer hydrogels were synthesized by flee-radical solution polymerizations, using ammonium persulfate （APS）/N,N,N＇,N＇-tetramethylethylenediamine （TEMED） redox initiator system and alcohols porogens. The morphology, temperature and pH sensitive swelling behavior, and swelling kinetics of the resulting hydrogels were investigated. It was found that alcohol type and concentration had great influences on the pore structure and porosity of hydrogels. The pore size of hydrogel increases with the moderate increase of the length of alcohol alkyl chain. However, a further increase of alkyl length would result in the formation of cauliflower-like structure and the decrease of pore size. The porosity of hydrogels increases with the increase of porogen concentration in the polymerization medium. The hydrogels with macroporous structure swell or shrink much faster in response to the change of pH in comparison with the conventional hydrogel without macroporous structure. Furthermore, the response rate is closely related to the porosity of the hydrogels, which could be easily controlled by modulating the concentration of the porogen in the medium. The circular swelling behavior of hydrogels indicated the formation of a relaxing three-dimensional network.     

Macroporous Poly(Acrylamide) Hydrogels: Swelling and Shrinking Behaviors

Macroporous poly(acrylamide) hydrogels have been synthesized by using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with three different molecular weights as the pore‐forming agent. Scanning electron microscope graphs reveal that the macroporous network structure of the hydrogels can be adjusted by applying different molecular weights of PEG during the polymerization reaction. The swelling ratios of the PEG‐modified hydrogels were much higher than those for the same type of hydrogel prepared via conventional method. However, the swelling/deswelling ratios of the PEG‐modified hydrogels were affected slightly by the change in the amount of the PEG. Scanning electron microscopy experiments, together with swelling ratio studies, reveal that the PEG‐modified hydrogels are characterized by an open structure with more pores and higher swelling ratio, but lower mechanical strength, compared the conventional hydrogel. PAAm has potential applications in controlled release of macromolecular active agents.     

Novel sulfobetaine‐sulfonic acid‐contained superswelling hydrogels

Novel hydrogels based on zwitterionic monomer [3‐(methacrylamido)propyl] dimethyl (3‐sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide (MPDSAH) and a strong acid monomer (2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid, AMPS) were synthesized through solution polymerization under normal conditions to achieve nearly quantitative gel yield. The structure of the gels was confirmed using infrared spectroscopy. Thermal properties were simultaneously studied by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis (DSC/TGA). The effects of the polymerization variables on the swelling capacity of the products were investigated. It was found that, in a certain range of the monomers mol ratio, increase of AMPS content was surprisingly accompanied with swelling reduction. The swelling exhibited lower sensitivity to the crosslinker concentration (range 0.6–1.2 wt%) compared with the conventional superabsorbents. However, in contrast with the conventional acrylic acid‐based superabsorbents, the neutralization degree of AMPS part of the new gels had only a small enhancing effect on their swelling capacity. The effect of total monomer concentration on the hydrogel absorbency was also studied. The fully ionic hydrogels showed an unusual pH‐independency behavior, so that their absorbency was nearly unchanged in a wide range of pH. Such unexpected behavior was also observed for the swelling in the ionic environments with various ionic strengths. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intelligent Hydrogels Via Gamma-Ray Induced Polymerization of Micellar Monomer Solutions and Microemulsions

Summary: Intelligent hydrogels were prepared upon polymerization of micellar aqueous comonomer solutions and microemulsions containing the cationic surfactant monomer 11-acryloyloxyundecyltrimethylammonium bromide (AUTMAB) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM). A chemically and physically cross-linked network structure is formed consisting of blocks of P-NIPAM and P-AUTMAB. The P-AUTMAB blocks act as physical cross-linking units improving the mechanical stability of the gel. While pure P-NIPAM hydrogels are disrupted under low compression, gels polymerized from micellar solution or microemulsion can be reversibly compressed. The presence of AUTMAB in the gel increases the swelling up to a factor of 30 compared with the pure P-NIPAM gel. Rapid and reversible swelling is observed for hydrogels with an AUTMAB content up to 2.5 wt.-%.     

Thermoresponsive properties of porous poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels prepared in the presence of nanosized silica particles and subsequent acid treatment

Porous poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels were prepared by the free‐radical polymerization of its monomer and a suitable crosslinker in the presence of spherical silica particles of different sizes (74 and 1600 nm) and by the subsequent acid extraction of silica. The yields were 81–83%, and the yields were not affected by the silica content. Scanning electron microscopy observations revealed the porous structure of the hydrogels. Porous and nonporous hydrogels showed volume phase transitions from swelling states to deswelling states at approximately 30 °C, as analyzed by the ratio of the diameter of cylinder‐shaped hydrogels to that of the glass tube used for the hydrogel preparation at the corresponding temperature. Deswelling, which was analyzed by rapid changes in the temperature of the aqueous media from 20 to 40 °C, was facilitated by decreased silica particle size and increased silica content. The deswelling rate constant of the hydrogel prepared with 74‐nm silica at 10 v/v % (silica/solvent) was more than 1500 times greater than that of conventional hydrogels. Swelling was similarly analyzed through changes in the temperature from 40 to 20 °C and was independent of the pore structure. The deswelling–swelling cycle was repeatable with reasonable reproducibility. Moreover, the mechanical strength of the porous hydrogels was significantly maintained compared with that of conventional nonporous hydrogels. This method produced thermoresponsive hydrogels of suitable mechanical strength and remarkable deswelling properties. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 4228–4235, 2002     

Gamma Radiation-Induced Template Polymerization of Acrylic Acid in the Presence of Polyactrylamide

Abstract

Poly(acrylamide-acrylic acid) resin p(AM-AA) was prepared by gamma radiation-induced polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of polyacrylamide as a template polymer. The polymerization was studied by a free radical mechanism at different experimental conditions such as: absorbed dose, monomer concentration, polymer/monomer molar ratio and the weight-average molecular weight or the swelling degree of added polymer. The resin was obtained at dose > 10 KGy and there is no significant change in the swelling degree of the resin. The results showed that the capacity of the resin increases by increasing the monomer concentration, the weight-average molecular weight of the added polymer and decreases by increasing polymer/monomer molar ratio and the swelling degree of the added polymer. It was also found that the capacity of the resin depends on the radiation dose.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel polymeric hydrogel based on hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose grafted with polyacrylamide

A novel hydrogel has synthesized by grafting polyacrylamide chains onto hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in presence of potassium persulphate as initiator using solution polymerization technique. The reaction was carried out in homogeneous aqueous medium. The effect of reaction parameters on percentage of grafting (% G) and grafting efficiency (% GE) were discussed. The parameters were varied systematically to achieve the best hydrogel. Developed hydrogels were characterized by various materials characterization techniques. The dynamic and equilibrium swelling properties of hydrogels were investigated as a function of pH and time in various buffer solutions similar to that of gastric and intestinal fluid. Results showed that with increase in % G and % GE, the rate of swelling decreases, which can opens the door for further study of their utilization as matrices for controlled/sustained/targeted drug delivery.     

Swelling and water transport in temperature-sensitive hydrogels based on 2-methoxyethylacrylate

A series of thermoresponsive hydrogels based on copolymers of 2-methoxyethylacrylate with acrylamide or N,N-dimethylacrylamide were prepared by radiation-induced polymerization in dimethylformamide solution in the presence of a crosslinking agent. The swelling behaviour of the hydrogels was studied by immersing the polymer samples in water at 5°C, 10°C and 37°C. The data were found to satisfactorily fit Fick's law with a constant diffusion coefficient. The results indicate that the swelling ratio increases with increasing the content of the hydrophilic monomers in the hydrogels and at the same time the equilibrium swelling time decreases. The effect of temperature on water transport mechanism was observed.     

Studies on syntheses and dynamic swelling of pH-sensitive macroporous poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogels

A series of macroporous poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PNIPAm-AA) hydrogels with different composition were synthesized by free-radical copolymerization in the presence of silica particles as a pore generating agent. The equilibrium swelling ratio, half swelling time and dynamic swelling kinetics of the copolymers previously soaked in different acidic buffer solutions were investigated at pH 7 at 25°C. Experimental results revealed that the swelling rate of the macroporous hydrogels was greatly increased compared to conventional hydrogels due to existence of the macroporous structures. It was found that the swelling history of previously putting in acidic solutions copolymers had strong influence on their dynamic swelling kinetics especially for the samples ranging in composition between 30 and 70 mol % of NIPAAm, whereas the swelling history had little influence on the equilibrium swelling ratio of copolymers. The swelling pattern exhibits sigmoid swelling curves. This is explained by an autocatalytic mechanism. The hydrogen bonding dissociation plays an important role in the dynamic swelling behavior.     

Swelling Kinetics of Microgels Embedded in a Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Matrix

Composite hydrogels—macroscopic hydrogels with embedded microgel particles—are expected to respond to external stimuli quickly because microgels swell much faster than bulky gels. In this work, the kinetics of the pH‐induced swelling of a composite hydrogel are studied using turbidity measurements. The embedded microgel is a pH‐ and thermosensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) microgel and the hydrogel matrix is polyacrylamide. A rapid pH‐induced swelling of the embedded microgel particles is observed, confirming that composite hydrogels respond faster than ordinary hydrogels. However, compared with the free microgels, the swelling of the embedded microgel is much slower. Diffusion of OH^? into the composite hydrogel film is identified as the main reason for the slow swelling of the embedded microgel particles, as the time of the pH‐induced swelling of this film is comparable to that of OH^? diffusion into the film. The composition of the hydrogel matrix does not significantly change the characteristic swelling time of the composite hydrogel film. However, the swelling pattern of the film changes with composition of the hydrogel matrix.     

醇溶剂交换对聚合物/黏土纳米复合水凝胶的性能改进及结构表征

采用原位自由基聚合,制备了聚N,N-二甲基丙烯酰胺(PDMAA)/黏土(clay)纳米复合水凝胶(D-NCgel),黏土在体系结构中充当多官能团交联点的作用.考察了D-NC gel中溶剂水被交换为醇溶剂时,凝胶结构稳定性,溶胀特性,以及机械性能的变化.D-NC gel在醇溶剂中仍能保持完整的三维网络结构,体系没有瓦解.而且,D-NC gel在醇溶剂中表现出依赖于醇溶剂种类的溶剂交换和溶胀行为.在甲醇中,凝胶溶胀度呈现单调增长,但是在其它醇溶剂,如乙醇、1-丙醇或1-丁醇中,凝胶表现出先收缩后溶胀的特殊溶胀行为.通过在醇溶剂中先溶胀后干燥的方法,制备具有优异机械性能的醇溶剂纳米复合凝胶.与D-NC5 gel相比,D-NC5甲醇凝胶其拉伸力学强度提高了67%(从155 kPa增加到259 kPa),拉伸模量提高了49%(从7.5 kPa增加到11.2kPa).基于凝胶在醇水溶剂中结构可逆性讨论的基础上,探讨了醇溶剂对D-NC水凝胶的改性机理.