Radiation Synthesis of Superabsorbent Hydrogels Based on Chitosan and Acrylic Acid for Controlled Drug Release

摘要

Superabsorbent hydrogels based on the natural polymer chitosan and acrylic acid (CS/AAc) was prepared using ~(60)Cogamma radiation as a source of initiation and crosslinking. The factors, which affect the preparation of CS/AAc hydrogels such as irradiation dose, CS/AAc ratios, and acrylic acid monomer concentrations, to get the best optimum conditions, were investigated. The kinetic studies of the swelling of CS/AAc hydrogel showed that it follows a Fickian type of water diffusion. The Fickian constant value 'n' was more than 0.5 with a high swelling capacity of 300 g/g as superabsorbent hydrogel. In addition, the suitability of CS/AAc hydrogel as carrier material for the drug Chlortetracycline-HCl has been investigated by adsorption isotherm studies. The performance of drug release from hydrogel systems, influenced by acrylic acid ratio and the effect of pH of the medium was studied.