Nanobiotechnology for health-care

Chitosan-based interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels
O. Nadtoka1, P. Virych1, O. Vashchenko 2, N. Kutsevol1
1Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Volodymyrska Street, 64/13, Kyiv-01601, Ukraine
2 Institute for Scintillation Materials of NAS of Ukraine, ave. Nauky, 60, Kharkiv, 61172, Ukraine
E-mail: oksananadtoka@ukr.net

The recent developments in polymeric science have led to many novel drug delivery systems. One of them are interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) based on chitosan and PAA as bioactive materials for the pharmaceutical industry. These IPNs possess excellent properties because of their improved biocompatibility and good swelling properties. A synergistic effect can be produced using IPN technology by formulating an IPN between a natural and synthetic polymer, hence combining the properties of both polymers. In turn, it leads to interlacing between the different features and performances of the individual components of IPN [1]. Each network retains its individual properties so that synergistic improvements in properties like strength or toughness can be seen. In the present study, we have synthesized copolymer of acrylamide and chitosan with ceric ammonium nitrate as a redox system. The obtained copolymer was subjected to various analytical techniques such as FTIR, DSC, DTGA to confirm the copolymer formation. The swelling properties and absorption of bioactive Methylene Blue were also studied.

Figure 1. Scheme of the possible reaction.
Сhitosan addition to polyacrylamide gel results in an increase in the total water content in the samples accompanied by a decrease in the fraction of bound water, which reflects partial dehydration of polyacrylamide. Coupled with the elevated thermostability of both polymers this may point to their strong interaction or grafted structure.
1. S. Shidhaye, C. Surve, A. Dhone, T. Budhkar, Int. J. Res. Rev. Pharm. Appl. Sci. 2 (2010) 637.