Rapid deswelling of semi-IPNs with nanosized tracts in response to pH and temperature

J Control Release. 2006 Jan 10;110(2):387-394. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2005.10.013. Epub 2005 Nov 28.

Abstract

Porous linear-polymer penetrating networks (semi-IPNs) were prepared by the radical polymerization of acrylic acid (AAc) inside porous poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels with "nano-sized tract networks (nano-tracts)." The deswelling behavior was investigated by measuring the time course of the swelling ratio change of the semi-IPNs just after the temperature or pH was changed. Although the incorporation of PAAc linear chains into the PNIPAAm hydrogel networks should facilitate deswelling, nonporous semi-IPNs showed only a slow thermoresponse under low pH conditions, and a slow pH-response under a high temperature. On the other hand, the porous semi-IPNs showed a rapid deswelling in response to either a change in pH or temperature, regardless of the environment, presumably due to the nano-tracts through which the water was rapidly released from the hydrogel without any interference by network shrinking. The novel network design of these nano-tracted semi-IPNs may be useful for high performance, dual molecule-release functions.

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins / chemistry
  • Algorithms
  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Excipients
  • Hydrogels
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Excipients
  • Hydrogels
  • poly-N-isopropylacrylamide