Synthesis and characterization of a drug-delivery system based on melamine-modified poly(vinyl acetate-co-maleic anhydride) hydrogel

ABSTRACT Three‐dimensional polymeric networks, which quickly swell by imbibing a large amount of water or deswell in response to changes in their external environment, are called hydrogels. These types of polymeric materials are good potential candidates for drug‐delivery systems. In this study, we first synthesized poly(vinyl acetate‐co‐maleic anhydride) by free‐radical copolymerization. Then, they were modified with different molar ratios of melamine to prepare hydrogels that could be used in drug‐delivery systems. The hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H‐NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. In the second step, Ceftazidime antibiotic was loaded on selected hydrogels. The in vitro drug release was investigated and compared in three different media (HCl solution at pH = 3 and buffer solutions at pH 6.1and pH 8). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40389.