Synthesis, characterization, and drug release activity of structurally modified poly(vinyl alcohol)

ABSTRACT The main aim of the present investigation is synthesis of drug‐grafted poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) for sustainable drug release in order to avoid bulk release and unwanted side effects. Here, the PVA was structurally modified with five different drug molecules in DMSO medium at 85 °C under N2 atmosphere for 2 h. The structure of modified PVA was confirmed by FTIR and 1H NMR spectra and further it was characterized by TGA, DSC, and SEM. The tensile strength and % elongation for the structurally modified PVA were determined. The FTIR spectrum showed peaks corresponding to the CO and CS stretching due to the grafted drug molecules. The 1H NMR spectrum showed the acrylic CH2 proton signal of PVA around 1.6 ppm. The SEM showed different surface morphology for the structurally modified PVA. The mechanical properties of the structurally modified PVA was found to be reduced due to the presence of traces of solvent molecules and the breaking of inter‐ and intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The sustainable drug release through hydrolysis mechanism was tested at the pH of 7.3. Generally, the drug release followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas model with Fickian drug transportation mechanism except Furosemide (Fur)‐grafted PVA system at the pH of 7.3. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46620.