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

Hydrogels had gained considerable importance in drug delivery systems. Polyacrylic acid/acrylamide (AAc/AAm) and polyacrylic acid/acrylamide doped with magnetite (AAc/AAm)Fe3O4 hydrogels have been prepared by gamma-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 Fe3O4 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) Fe3O4 was studied by vibrating sample magnetometer and the results indicated super-paramagnetic character of (AAc/AAm)Fe3O4. The band gap (E-g) was determined and the values suggested semi-conductivity of the hydrogels. Doxorubicin loading and release by (AAc/AAm)Fe3O4 hydrogel was studied and indicated that the hydrogel can load 78% of doxorubicin.