pH-Responsive Hydrogel of Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate-Co-2-Acrylamido-2-Methyl-1-Propane Sulphonic Acid-Co-Ethylene Glycol Vinyl Ether): Synthesis, Diffusion Characteristics and Drug Delivery Applications

This study reports the preparation of pH-responsive hydrogels for the controlled release of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Tapentadol HCl (TPCL). The hydrogels were synthesized through cross-linking of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and (1,1-Dimethyl-2-sulfoethyl)acrylamide, 2-Acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) (AMPS) with ethylene glycol vinyl ether (EGVE) using N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) (NN-MBA) via free radical polymerization. To elucidate the characterization properties of the hydrogels, FTIR, DSC, XRD and SEM techniques were employed. Diffusion characteristics of hydrogels were evaluated by calculating network parameters. Dynamic swelling and drug release patterns of hydrogels were assessed in pH 1.2 and 7.4 phosphate buffer solutions, with results indicating slight enhanced swelling and drug release in pH 7.4 at 24 hours.