N-vinylcaprolactam-based microgels: synthesis, characterization and drug release applications

In this study, N-vinylcaprolactam, metacrylic acid sodium salt and itaconic acid sodium salt-based copolymeric and terpolymeric microgels were synthesized by precipitation polymerization method with 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropioamidine) dihydrochloride as initiator. Then these microgels were characterized by SEM technique, cloud points and colloidal properties determinations. Volume phase transitions of copolymeric and terpolymeric N-vinylcaprolactam-based microgels are determined at an interval of 32–37 °C. Rhodamine B (model drug) and Nadalol (beta-blocker drug) were used to investigate the drug loading and release behavior of microgels. It is concluded that model drug loading capacity and release amount changed with the presence and amount of itaconic acid sodium salt in the microgel structure. In addition, the maximum drug release amount of microgels was found to be 58 and 55 % for Rhodamine B and Nadolol, respectively. As a result, we can say that the microgels obtained in this study are suitable for drug delivery applications.