Radiation synthesis and characterization of Poly(butyl methacrylate/acrylamide) copolymeric hydrogels and heparin controlled drug release

Radiation-induced copolymerization of butyl methacrylate/acrylamide has been investigated. It was observed that as the irradiation dose increases, the gelation percent increases and the maximum gelation % was achieved at irradiation dose of 30 kGy. The equilibrium swelling studies of the prepared hydrogels at various conditions were carried out in an aqueous solution. The pH sensitivity in the range of 4–7.5 was investigated. It is found that the swelling behavior of Poly(BMA/AAm) is higher than that of Poly(BMA) and Poly(AAm). Swelling kinetics and diffusion mechanism indicate that the water penetration obeys non-Fickian transport mechanism. The characterization and some selected properties of the prepared hydrogels were evaluated using FTIR, XRD, TGA and SEM. The drug release characteristics of the prepared hydrogel were studied using heparin as example of anticoagulant drug. The drug release found to be governed by multiple factors contributed by each composition of the prepared hydrogel including their drug binding affinities and water uptake rates.