Radiation synthesis and anticancer drug delivery of poly(acrylic acid/acrylamide) magnetite hydrogel

Abstract Hydrogels had gained considerable importance in drug delivery systems. Polyacrylic acid/acrylamide (AAc/AAm) and polyacrylic acid/acrylamide doped with magnetite (AAc/AAm)Fe 3 O 4 hydrogels have been prepared by ɣ -radiations and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (IR), X-ray diffractions (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmittance electron microscope (TEM). The morphology and the particle size were determined from TEM images. The average particle size of Fe 3 O 4 was found to be 12 nm. The degree of cross-linking of Poly (AAc/AAm) hydrogel was determined from the gel fraction at different radiation doses and compositions. Swelling of the hydrogel was studied at different conditions. The magnetism of (AAc/AAm) Fe 3 O 4 was studied by vibrating sample magnetometer and the results indicated super-paramagnetic character of (AAc/AAm)Fe 3 O 4 . The band gap ( E g ) was determined and the values suggested semi-conductivity of the hydrogels. Doxorubicin loading and release by (AAc/AAm)Fe 3 O 4 hydrogel was studied and indicated that the hydrogel can load 78% of doxorubicin.