Interpenetrating polymer networks of poly(methacrylic acid) and polyacrylamide: synthesis, characterization and potential application for sustained drug delivery

Abstract

Novel interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and polyacrylamide (PAAm) were synthesized and characterized in terms of their swelling ability, microhardness and morphology. The potential of these new polymeric materials as a sustained delivery system for cationic drug was revealed. The study demonstrates that the IPN's composition is a powerful tool to control the IPN's structure and properties and hence their performance as a new polymeric system for sustained drug delivery.