Synthesis and characterization of poly(acrylic acid-co-N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-methacrylamide) hydrogel membranes for biomedical applications

A series of new hydrogel membranes with different compositions of acrylic acid (AAc) and N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-methacrylamide (DMAPMA) were prepared by aqueous copolymerization, without using chemical crosslinker or radiation. Chemical structure of the membranes (PADMAs) was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Swelling experiments were carried out in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37 +/- 1 degrees C to investigate degree of swelling, dimensional stability, and pore size of the PADMA membranes. In SBF, the variation of pore size with membrane composition was monitored by optical microscopic technique. Morphology of the membranes was characterized, before and after exposure to SBF, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that the membranes are composed of closely packed nano-gels of similar to 200 nm. Macroporous network structure of the SBF-swollen PADMA was also observed to be composed of interconnected nanogels. Blood compatibility of the PADMA membranes was evaluated in vitro, by performing hemolysis assay and thrombogenicity assay. The extent of hemolysis due to PADMA membranes was found to be <2%, which ensured that all of the membranes were highly hemocompatible. Salicylic acid (SA) was chosen as a model drug. Diffusion coefficient of SA through PADMA membranes was investigated. It was observed that membrane composition regulates both pore size and drug diffusion. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.