RAFT controlled synthesis of graphene/polymer hydrogel with enhanced mechanical property for pH-controlled drug release

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• 作者：Jingquan Liu ; Liang Cui ; Na Kong ; Colin J. Barrow ; Wenrong Yang
• 关键词：RAFT polymerization ; Graphene ; pH sensitive hydrogel ; Diazonium salt ; Controlled drug release
• 刊名：European Polymer Journal
• 出版年：January, 2014
• 年：2014
• 卷：50
• 期：Complete
• 页码：9-17
• 全文大小：1741 K

文摘

A pH-sensitive, mechanically strong and thermally stable graphene/poly (acrylic acid) (graphene/PAA) hydrogel was prepared via reversible addition fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerizations in the presence of a cross-linking agent. The RAFT agent was covalently coupled onto graphene basal planes via an esterification reaction, with benzoic acid functionalities pre-attached on graphene with its aryl diazonium salt precursor. AFM and SEM analysis revealed the successful preparation of single layered graphene sheets and graphene/polymer hydrogels with pH controlled porous structures. Attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) verified the successful stepwise preparation of graphene/PAA hydrogel. This graphene/PAA hydrogel was pH-sensitive and more mechanically elastic than the PAA hydrogel prepared without graphene. The pH sensitivity of the hydrogel was further utilized for controlled drug release. Doxorubicin was chosen as a model drug and loaded into the hydrogels. The drug loading and release experiment indicated that this hydrogel can be used to efficiently control drug release in the intestine environment (pH = 7.4), better than release in a more acidic environment.