Study of Drug Transport Phenomenon of Acrylic IPNs Embedded with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) are formed involving hydrophobic poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) and hydrophilic poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) in presence of superparamagnetic ferric oxide nanoparticles (<30 nm) through free radical polymerization. Ferric oxide (Fe3O4) particles are synthesized using thermal arc plasma technique. IPNs are prepared by taking the two acrylates, PBA/PHEA in blend ratios of 60:40, 50:50, and 40:60 (w/w). The samples are characterized in terms of swelling, FTIR, DSC, TGA, and SEM. Bactericidal effect on IPNs is checked by cell growth study of E. coli. Drug diffusion phenomenon of multi drug-loaded samples is compared with respect to the PBA/PHEA blend ratio (w/w).