Preparation of biodegradable, and pH-sensitive poly(azomethine)-chitosan hydrogels for potential application of 5-fluoro uracil delivery

[Display omitted] •Poly(azomethine) and chitosan-based hydrogels were fabricated for drug release applications.•pH-sensitivity, biodegradability, antibacterial activity were also investigated.•The prepared hydrogels have a potential application of the release of 5-FU. In this paper, we aimed to prepare poly(azomethine) and chitosan-based hydrogels for the controlled drug delivery applications. For this purpose, poly(azomethine)s were prepared by oxidative polymerization and they were characterized via using FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and SEC analysis techniques. Then, poly(azomethine)s and chitosan-based hydrogels were prepared in the presence of 1,4-butanediol, and ammonium peroxodisulphate as chain extender, and initiator, respectively, and they were also characterized using FT-IR. The mechanical, thermal, morphological, swelling, biodegradability, antibacterial properties, and the controlled drug delivery application were carried out in the paper. The obtained results revealed that the fabricated hydrogels have consisted of a non-porous structure. The thermal stability of the hydrogels was decreased with the addition of chitosan into the hydrogel matrix. Moreover, poly(azomethine) and chitosan-based hydrogels were exhibited biodegradable, antibacterial, and pH-sensitive properties, and they have a potential application of the release of 5-FU.