A semi-interpenetrating network system for a polymer membrane

semi-interpenetrating network has been prepared for a polymer membrane. The first network consists of sodium alginate which provides the crosslinked network. The other is polyacrylic acid or polyacrylamide which imparts its characteristic into the polymer network. Using atomic absorption spectroscopy, it was observed that the swelling of the polymer membrane could be regulated by the control of the concentration of calcium ion. Two types of solutes were used for membrane permeation. In the case of hydrocortisone, used as a hydrophilic solute, the permeation pattern was closely related to the swelling behavior of the polymer membrane. However, permeation of indomethacin, used as a hydrophobic solute, was influenced by the intermolecular interaction in the polymer membrane characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.