Stimuli pH-responsive (N-vinyl imidazole-co-acryloylmorpholine) hydrogels; mesoporous and nanoporous scaffolds

J Biomed Mater Res A. 2012 Apr;100(4):863-71. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.33304. Epub 2012 Jan 24.

Abstract

Tunable mesoporosity and nanoporosity of stimuli pH-responsive (N-vinyl imidazole-ran-acryloylmorpholine) hydrogels studied in terms of %swelling at various ionic strength, pH, temperature, and crosslinker concentration values were investigated. Hydrogel properties including diffusional exponent, number of links between two crosslinks, rms end-to-end distance and mesh size of gels were evaluated. The structural sequence of the scaffolds was tested and verified using Kelen-Tudos technique, and Alfrey-Price relationship. Hydrogels were characterized using FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and freeze-dried Scanning electron micrographs techniques. The reversible pH responsiveness and possible mesoporous and nanoporous (i.e., 0.88-4.03 nm) structures suggest their suitable candidate in membrane technology and/or is an adequate drug delivery vehicle in drug delivery systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
  • Hydrogels*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration*
  • Imidazoles / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Morpholines / chemistry*
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Thermogravimetry

Substances

  • Hydrogels
  • Imidazoles
  • Morpholines