Preparation of poly(divinylbenzene‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) microspheres and their hydrogen‐bonding assembly behavior for raspberry‐like core‐corona polymer composite

Narrowdisperse poly(divinylbenzene‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) (poly(DVB‐co‐NIPAM)) functional microspheres with the diameter in the range of 630 nm and 2.58 μm were prepared by distillation–precipitation polymerization in neat acetonitrile in the absence of any stabilizer. The effect of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) ratio in the comonomer feed on the morphology of the resultant polymer particles was investigated in detail with divinylbenzene (DVB) as crosslinker and 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator. The monodisperse poly(DVB‐co‐NIPAM) microspheres with NIPAM fraction of 20 wt % were selected for the preparation of raspberry‐like core‐corona polymer composite by the hydrogen‐bonding self‐assembly heterocoagulation with poly(ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate‐co‐acrylic acid) [poly(EGDMA‐co‐AA)] nanospheres. Both of the functional poly(DVB‐co‐NIPAM) microspheres and the core‐corona particles were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), and elemental analysis (EA). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1350–1357, 2007     

Synthesis of monodisperse crosslinked poly(styrene‐co‐divinylbenzene) microspheres by precipitation polymerization in acetic acid

Poly(styrene‐co‐divinylbenzene) microspheres with size ranging from 1.6 to 1.8 μm were prepared in acetic acid by precipitation polymerization. The particle size and particle size distribution were determined by laser diffraction particle size analyzer, and the morphology of the particles was observed with scanning electron microscope. Besides, effects of various polymerization parameters such as initiator and total monomer concentration, divinylbenzene (DVB) content, polymerization time and polymerization temperature on the morphology and particle size were investigated in this article. In addition, the yield of microspheres increased with the increasing total monomer concentration, initiator loading, DVB concentration and polymerization time. In addition, the optimum polymerization conditions for synthesis of monodisperse crosslinked poly(styrene‐co‐divinylbenzene) microspheres by precipitation polymerization in acetic acid were obtained. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Dispersion polymerization of uniform cross‐linked polystyrene microspheres in butan‐1‐ol

Butan‐1‐ol can be used as the solvent in the synthesis of poly(styrene‐co‐divinylbenzene‐co‐acrylic acid) microspheres by dispersion polymerization of a mixture of styrene, divinylbenzene (DVB), and acrylic acid (AA). Varying the proportion of the crosslinker DVB affects the size distribution and particle morphology profoundly, with 0.5–1.0% w/w producing spherical particles, whereas 2.0% w/w DVB produces irregular, concave morphologies. Varying the amount of AA from 5–7% w/w increases the average diameter of the spherical particles, whereas 9% w/w AA results in ovoid particles with dimpled surface morphology. In an optimized synthesis using 1.0% w/w DVB and 5% AA, uniform polymer microspheres with an average diameter of 0.8 µm and a coefficient of variation (CV) of diameter of 8.2% are produced. The use of a medium‐polarity solvent, such as butan‐1‐ol, as the solvent for dispersion polymerization will facilitate the incorporation of non‐polar moieties, such as organically‐passivated quantum dots, into the polymer during synthesis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43103.     

Determination of swelling behavior and morphological properties of poly(acrylamide‐co‐itaconic acid) and poly(acrylic acid‐co‐itaconic acid) copolymeric hydrogels

Poly(acrylamide‐co‐itaconic acid) (PAAmIA) and poly(acrylic acid‐co‐itaconic acid) (PAAIA) copolymeric hydrogels were prepared with different compositions via free‐radical polymerization. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) was used as an original crosslinker for these monomers. Gelation percentages of the monomers were studied in detail and it was found that addition of IA into the monomer mixture decreased the gelation percentage. The variation in swelling values (%) with time, temperature, and pH was determined for all hydrogels. PAA, which is the most swollen hydrogel, has the swelling percentage value of 2000% at pH = 7.4, 37°C. Swelling behaviors were explained with detailed SEM micrographs, which show the morphologic differences between dry and swollen hydrogels. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5994–5999, 2006     

Metal ion retention properties of poly(acrylic acid) and poly[N‐3‐(dimethylamino)propyl acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid]

The crosslinked resins poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly[N‐3‐(dimethylamino)propyl acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid] [P(NDAPA‐co‐AA)] are obtained by radical polymerization and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. PAA at basic pH exists basically as an acrylate anion that may contain end carboxylate groups or form bridges acting as mono‐ or bidentate ligands. P(NDAPA‐co‐AA) presents three potential ligand groups in its structure: carboxylic acid, amide, and amine. The trace metal ion retention properties of these two resins is compared by using the batch equilibrium procedure. The metal ions are contained in saline aqueous solutions and are found in natural seawater. The retention of Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) metal ions is studied under competitive and noncompetitive conditions. The effects on the pH, contact time, amount of adsorbent, temperature, and salinity are investigated. The PAA resin presents a high affinity (>80%) for Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions. The P(NDAPA‐co‐AA) resin shows a high affinity for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions. With 4M HNO₃ it is possible to completely recover the PAA resin charged with Cu(II) ions and the P(NDAPA‐co‐AA) resin charged with Pb(II) ions. The two resins show a high affinity for Cd(II) ions from the seawater containing Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1385–1394, 2005     

Water‐dispersible porous polyisoprene‐block‐poly(acrylic acid) microspheres

Two polyisoprene‐block‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PI‐b‐PtBA) samples and a poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) (PtBA) homopolymer (hPtBA) were prepared by anionic polymerization and characterized by light scattering, size exclusion chromatography, and NMR. The tert‐butyl groups were removed from one of the diblocks to yield amphiphilic polyisoprene‐block‐poly(acrylic acid) (PI‐b‐PAA). PI‐b‐PAA was then used as the surfactant to disperse dichloromethane containing PI‐b‐PtBA and hPtBA at different weight ratios as oil droplets in water. Solid microspheres containing segregated polyisoprene (PI) and PtBA/hPtBA domains were obtained after dichloromethane evaporation. Permanent microspheres were obtained after PI domain crosslinking with sulfur monochloride. Porous microspheres were produced after the hydrolysis of PtBA and the extraction of the homopoly(acrylic acid) chains. The shape and connectivity of the poly(acrylic acid)‐lined pores were tuned by changes in the PtBA/hPtBA content in the precursor microspheres. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 2785–2793, 2003     

Polymer–metal composite particles: Metal particles on poly(St‐co‐MAA) microspheres

Poly(styrene‐co‐methacrylic acid) P(St‐co‐MAA) microspheres with a monodisperse size distribution were prepared by emulsifier‐free emulsion copolymerization of St and MAA. The effects of MAA content on the polymerization rate and the content of MAA in the copolymer were investigated by gravimetrical and IR methods, respectively. The results of XPS measurement indicated the presence of a carboxyl functional group. By chemical metal deposition, nickel or palladium particles were formed and deposited on the surface of P(St‐co‐MAA) microspheres to form P(St‐co‐MAA)Ni or P(St‐co‐MAA)Pd composite particles. XRD measurement and TEM observation confirmed that nickel and palladium metal particles in a small size (20–40 nm) were distributed on surface of the copolymer microspheres. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 75: 1693–1698, 2000     

Synthesis and properties of carboxymethyl cellulose‐graft‐poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide) as a novel cellulose‐based superabsorbent

A new cellulose‐based superabsorbent polymer, carboxymethyl cellulose‐graft‐poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide), was prepared by the free‐radical grafting solution polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) monomers onto carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in the presence of N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker with a redox couple of potassium persulfate and sodium metabisulfite as an initiator. The influences of reaction variables such as the initiator content, crosslinker content, bath temperature, molar ratio of AA to AM, and weight ratio of the monomers to CMC on the water absorbency of the carboxymethylcellulose‐graft‐poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide) copolymer were investigated. The copolymer's structures were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The optimum reaction conditions were obtained as follows: the bath temperature was 50°C; the molar ratio of AA to AM was 3 : 1; the mass ratio of the monomers to CMC was 4 : 1; and the weight percentages of the crosslinker and initiator with respect to the monomers were 0.75 and 1%, respectively. The maximum water absorbency of the optimized product was 920 g/g for distilled water and 85 g/g for a 0.9 wt % aqueous NaCl solution. In addition, the superabsorbent possessed good water retention and salt resistance. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1382–1388, 2007     

Preparation and thermal response behavior of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐a crylic acid) microgels via soap‐free emulsion polymerization based on AIBN initiator

Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) (poly(NIPAM‐co‐AA)) microgels with different copolymer compositions were prepared through soap‐free emulsion polymerization at 80°C, and 2, 2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was used as initiator. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) characterization shows that the prepared microgels are regular and smooth and not easy to distort. Result of ¹H‐NMR characterization shows that with increasing of the initial concentration of AA (AA in feed), the AA content in polymer chains increases. The thermal response of microgels latex was investigated by UV‐3010 spectrophometer through detecting the transmittance of the latex at different temperature in the range of 190–900 nm. The thermal response of the poly(NIPAM‐co‐AA) microgels was tested by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The results show that with the increase of AA content in polymer chains, the low critical solution temperature (LCST) of microgels latex first decreases and then increases. Still, with increasing of AA in poly(NIPAM‐co‐AA) microgels, the LCST of microgels first increases and then decreases. The basic reasons causing the changes of LCST of microgels latex and microgels are interpreted clearly in this article from the perspective of hydrogen bonding interaction. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Self‐assembled poly(styrene‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) film induced by capillary force

The monodisperse poly(styrene‐co‐N‐isopropylacrylamide) (poly(St‐co‐NIPAAm)) particles prepared by emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization with microwave irradiation were induced by capillary forces to self‐assemble, and formed the two‐dimensional films on the clean glassware wafer substrates. The morphologies of the two‐dimensional films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atom force microscopy (AFM). The results showed that monodisperse poly(St‐co‐NIPAAm) particles could form ordered two‐dimensional films by capillary forces. With NIPAAm concentration increasing, there gradually appeared surface undulations or surface defective region on the two‐dimensional films. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 3514–3519, 2006     

Multilayer composite surfaces prepared by an electrostatic self‐assembly technique with quaternary ammonium salt and poly(acrylic acid) on poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐acrylic acid) membranes

An electrostatic self‐assembly technique was applied to prepare ion complex polymer layers on polyacrylonitrile with acrylic acid segments {poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐acrylic acid) [P(AN‐co‐AA)]}. For the ionic complex layers, quaternary ammonium salts, such as cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC) and tetramethyl ammonium chloride (TMAC), were used as cationic species, and also, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was used as an anionic species. These cationic and anionic species were self‐assembled alternately on the surface of the P(AN‐co‐AA) membrane. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, AFM, and water contact angle measurements of the membrane surface were used to confirm the formation of the multilayer composites on the P(AN‐co‐AA). The permeabilities of water and macromolecules of different molecular weights were evaluated by a membrane filtration technique. The values of permeability strongly depended on the formation layer by layer of these ion composites on the base P(AN‐co‐AA). Through the measurement of the values of the contact angle of water, it was clear that surface nature of the base membrane treated by CTAC or TMAC and PAA dramatically changed. We concluded that such an electrostatic self‐assembly technique is useful for the preparation of multicomposite layers to modify the surface of base P(AN‐co‐AA) membranes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Synthesis of poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) hydrogels with fast response rate in NaCl medium

A series of thermo‐ and pH‐sensitive poly (N,N‐diethylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) (P(DEA‐co‐AA)) hydrogels were prepared in NaCl aqueous solutions with different concentrations. Swelling and deswelling studies showed that in comparison with conventional P(DEA‐co‐AA) hydrogels (prepared in distilled water), the P(DEA‐co‐AA) hydrogels thus prepared had almost the same volume phase transition temperature (VPTT), but exhibited much faster response rates as the temperature was raised above their VPTT. Besides, the hydrogels prepared by this method had faster response rates in low pH buffer solutions, and the response rates increased with the increased concentration of the NaCl solutions used during the polymerization. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation of poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid)/silica nanocomposite microspheres and their performance as a plugging material for deep profile control

In this work, poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid)/silica [poly(AM‐co‐AA)/SiO₂] microspheres were prepared by inverse phase suspension polymerization in the presence of γ‐3‐(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (or 3‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane) modified SiO₂. The effects of SiO₂ nanoparticles on tuning morphology and properties of the nanocomposite microspheres were studied. Plugging ability and oil displacement performance were also systematically investigated by single‐ and double‐tube sand pack models. The results showed that SiO₂ nanoparticles can effectively adjust surface smoothness, swelling behavior, and thermal stability of the nanocomposite microspheres. Compared with pure copolymer microspheres, these nanocomposite microspheres also displayed better salt tolerance and shear resistance. Such multifunctional nanocomposite microspheres can provide effective plugging in the high‐permeability channels and can also achieve deep profile control. The highest plugging rate can be 86.11% and the oil recovery for low‐permeability tube was enhanced by 19.69%. This research will provide a candidate material for the further enhanced oil recovery (EOR) research and supply the theoretical support for profile control system in field application. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45502.     

Effect of the MMA content on the emulsion polymerization process and adhesive properties of poly(BA‐co‐MMA‐co‐AA) latexes

In the past work, the shear resistance of pure poly(n‐butyl acrylate) was low, even incorporation of inorganic filler, silica in the composition. It is well‐known that the copolymerization of n‐butyl acrylate (BA) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) will increase the glass transition temperature, and enhance the shear resistance of acrylic polymers. In the current work, the preparation of a series of acrylic water‐borne pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) with the controlled composition and structure for the copolymerization of BA and acrylic acid (AA) with different MMA contents, poly(BA‐co‐MMA‐co‐AA) was reported and its effects on adhesive properties of the latices were investigated. The latices of poly(BA‐co‐MMA‐co‐AA) were prepared at a solid content of 50% by two‐stage sequential emulsion polymerization, and this process consisted of a batch seed stage giving a particle diameter of 111 nm, which was then grown by the semicontinuous addition of monomers to final diameter of 303 nm. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) was used to monitor the particle diameters and proved that no new nucleation occurred during the growth stage. Copolymerization of BA with MMA raised the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the soft acrylic polymers, and had the effect of improving shear resistance, while the loop tack and peel adhesion kept relatively high. The relationship between pressure‐sensitive properties and molecular parameters, such as gel content and molecular weight, was evaluated. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Preparation of polystyrene/poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(2′‐ethylhexyloxy)‐p‐phenylenevinylene] fluorescent microspheres by miniemulsion polymerization

Fluorescent microspheres have great potential for use as probes in biological diagnostics. In this context, poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(2′‐ethylhexyloxy)‐p‐phenylenevinylene] (MEH‐PPV), a conjugated polymer which has high quantum yield, controllable emitting wavelength and facile processing in manufacture, was used as a fluorescent material for the preparation of polystyrene (PS)/MEH‐PPV fluorescent microspheres via miniemulsion polymerization. We demonstrate that the emitting wavelength of the PS/MEH‐PPV fluorescent microspheres can be regulated by changing the amount of azobisisobutyronitrile initiator in the polymerization process. Using acrylic acid comonomer, poly[styrene‐co‐(acrylic acid)]/MEH‐PPV fluorescent microspheres with functional carboxyl groups were also prepared. All the microspheres were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The functional carboxyl groups were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. This work provides a novel platform for the preparation of conjugated polymer fluorescent microspheres for biological applications. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synthesis and characterization of novel poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid‐co‐2‐hydroxy ethyl actylate) hydrogels: Mathematical approach in investigation of swelling kinetics and diffusion models

In this study, a series of poly(acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid‐co‐2‐hydroxy ethyl actylate) [AM‐co‐AA‐co‐HEA] hydrogels have been synthesized by varying the acrylic acid (AA)content over eightfold in feed in the range of 33.34–93.76% by keeping other monomer constant. These hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, SEM analysis, elemental analysis, residual acrylic acid analysis, network parameters, and dynamic swelling behavior. The swelling study showed that equilibrium swelling ratio was nonlinearly increased with increasing AA content. Interestingly, the equilibrium swelling ratio decreased from 53.42 to 48.52 for 75–80% AA content hydrogel. The swelling data were found to satisfactorily fit Fick's second law, demonstrating that diffusion rate of water uptake was primarily Fickian. From model fitting, it was observed that early model was applicable for first 30% water absorption, and late model was applicable for latter 70% water absorption for increasing AA content from 33.34–90.90%. For 93.76% AA, early‐time model was extended up to first 50% of water absorption and late model was contracted for latter 50% water absorption, indicating that excessive AA content affects the applicability range of early‐time and late‐time diffusion models for water absorption. Etters model was best applicable to all type of hydrogels and followed over all swelling range. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Adsorption of IgG on spacer‐arm and L‐arginine ligand attached poly(GMA/MMA/EGDMA) beads

This work presents data on human immunoglobulin G (HIgG) adsorption onto L ‐arginine ligand attached poly(GMA/MMA/EGDMA)‐based affinity beads which were synthesized from methyl methacrylate (MMA) and glycidiyl methacrylate (GMA) in the presence of a crosslinker (i.e., ethylene glycol dimethacrylate; EGDMA) by suspension polymerization. The epoxy groups of the poly(GMA/MMA/EGDMA) beads were converted into amino groups after reaction with ammonia or 1,6‐diaminohexane (i.e., spacer‐arm). With L ‐arginine as a ligand, it was covalently immobilized on the aminated (poly(GMA/MMA/EGDMA)‐ AA) and/or the spacer‐arm attached (poly(GMA/MMA/EGDMA)‐SA) beads, using glutaric dialdehyde as a coupling agent. Both affinity poly(GMA/MMA/EGDMA)‐based beads were used in HIgG adsorption/desorption studies under defined pH, ionic strength, or temperature conditions in a batch reactor, using acid‐treated poly(GMA/MMA/EGDMA) beads as a control system. The poly(GMA/MMA/EGDMA)‐SA affinity beads resulted in an increase in the adsorption capacity to HIgG compared with the aminated counterpart (i.e., poly(GMA/MMA/EGDMA)‐AA). The maximum adsorption capacities of the poly(GMA/MMA/EGDMA)‐AA and poly(GMA/MMA/EGDMA)‐SA affinity beads were found to be 112.36 and 142 mg g^?1, and the affinity constants (K_d), evaluated by the Langmuir model, were 2.48 × 10^?7 and 6.98 × 10^?7M, respectively. Adsorption capacities of the poly(GMA/MMA/EGDMA)‐AA and poly(GMA/MMA/EGDMA)‐SA were decreased with HIgG by increasing the ionic strength adjusted with NaCl. Adsorption kinetic of HIgG onto both affinity adsorbents was analyzed with first‐ and second‐order kinetic equations. The first‐order equation fitted well with the experimental data. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 672–679, 2007     

Synthesis,characterization, and antitumor activity of poly(maleic anhydride‐co‐vinyl acetate‐co‐acrylic acid)

The ternary copolymerization of maleic anhydride (MA), vinyl acetate (VA), and acrylic acid (AA) [P(MA‐co‐VA‐co‐AA)], which is considered to be an acceptor–donor–acceptor system, was carried out in 1,4‐dioxane with benzoyl peroxide as an initiator at 70°C under a nitrogen atmosphere. Constants of complex formation for the monomer systems in the study were determined by UV–visible (hydrogen‐bonding complex) and ¹H‐NMR (charge transfer complex) methods, respectively. The results show that polymerization of the P(MA‐co‐VA‐co‐AA) system proceeds by an alternating terpolymerization mechanism. It is shown that the synthesized copolymers have typical polyelectrolyte behavior, ability for reversible hydrolysis–anhydrization reactions, and semicrystalline structures. In these cases, including radical polymerization, and formation of semicrystalline structures, the hydrogen‐bonding effect plays a significant role. The in vitro cytotoxicities of the synthesized terpolymer and alternating copolymer were evaluated using Raji cells (human Burkitt lymphoma cell line). The antitumor activities of prepared anion‐active copolymers were studied using methyl–thiazol–tetrazolium colorimetric assay and 50% of the cytotoxic dose of each copolymer and terpolymer were calculated. Hydrolyzed P(MA‐co‐VA‐co‐AA) and P(MA‐alt‐AA) copolymers have sufficiently high antitumor activity, which depends on the amount of hydrogen‐bonding carboxylic groups and their regular distribution in the side chain of functional macromolecules. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3425–3432, 2006     

Synthesis and characterization of acrylamide‐based aluminum flocculant for turbidity reduction in wastewater

Polymeric flocculants of aluminum hydroxide‐poly[acrylamide‐co‐(acrylic acid)], AHAMAA, were prepared by solution polymerization using aluminum hydroxide as a coagulant in the presence of acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AA) as a comonomer pair with N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent. The crosslinking was initiated by ammonium persulfate with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine as an initiator. The water absorbency of crosslinked poly[AM‐co‐AA] was always higher than that of AHAMAA and was found to be correlated to the storage modulus of the polymers, which was higher for AHAMAA than that of crosslinked poly[AM‐co‐AA]. The residual aluminum concentration of AHAMAA (0.09–0.2 mg L^?1) indicated the stability of the polymer flocculant which was in good agreement with the observed tan δ and the higher G′′ and G′ values. Both the crosslinked poly[AM‐co‐AA] and AHAMAA satisfactorily reduced the turbidity of kaolin suspensions, but the latter gave a better reduction performance. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Novel mucoadhesive polymer: Synthesis and mucoadhesion of poly[acrylic acid‐co‐poly(ethylene glycol) monomethylether monomethacrylate‐co‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate]

This study was to design a mucoadhesive based on the biological and physicochemical properties of the buccal mucosa to achieve optimal mucoadhesion in the aqueous buccal environment. Since the buccal surface is negatively charged, a series of novel mucoadhesive poly[acrylic acid‐co‐poly(ethylene glycol) monomethylether monomethacrylate‐co‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate] [poly (AA‐PEGMM‐DMEMA)] were synthesized by incorporating the cationic monomer DMEMA into poly(AA‐PEGMM) to enhance the interactions between the mucohadhesive polymer and the buccal mucosa. The compositions of poly(AA‐PEGMM‐DMEMA) were varied by changing the content of DMEMA from 0 to 4.8 mol % while keeping the mole ratio of AA to PEGMM at a constant 9 : 1. It was found that the force of mucoadhesion of poly(AA‐PEGMM‐DMEMA) increased initially, as DMEMA content increased, and reached the maximum at 1% of DMEMA. Further increasing the content of DMEMA decreased the mucoadhesion. The polymers with 0.5 to 2.9% DMEMA appeared to have maximum mucoadhesion after prehydration for 5 min. An ATR–FTIR spectroscopy study revealed that intrapolymer interactions and intersurface interactions played opposite roles in the mucoadhesion performance of the polymers. Optimal mucoadhesion can be achieved by balancing these two interactions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94:2431–2437, 2004