Radiation initiated synthesis, characterization, and swelling behavior of poly (acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)/starch grafted hydrogel

The powerful waves of ultrasound are used in polymerization reactions in the absence of initiator. In the present research, the hydrogel was obtained by water-soluble acrylic monomers, starch, and the crosslinking agent of methylene bis acrylamide dissolved in water/glycerol dual. The hydrogel is formed by these waves only in viscous environments such as glycerol, heat, or initiator is not required. In the presence of ultrasound, the time of product formation is reduced to a few minutes. Moreover, the resulting hydrogels have more uniform microscopic structure and are more swollen. The structure of the grafted hydrogel was examined meanwhile the hydrogel swelling in three environments of pure water, saltwater, and under pressure was measured. It was found that the grafted hydrogel has double swelling rate in the pure. Also, after loading the ciprofloxacin into the synthesized hydrogel, this drug is released 99% in initial 20 min. 0.1 g starch in 1.5 g acrylic hydrogel has the most drug release. The high swelling capacity in the pH ranges of 5-9 shows the extension of drug application in acidic or alkaline environments, and also after several using the gel and the capacity of water absorbency, which was about 70% of its initial water, indicates the perfect reusability capacity of the gel.