Synthesis and characterization of GO-hydrogels composites

PEREYRA, J Y; CUELLO, E A; RODRIGUEZ, R CONEO; BARBERO, C A; YSLAS, E I; SALAVAGIONE, H J; ACEVEDO, D F

IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering

IOP

Año: 2017 vol. 258

1757-8981

The preparation of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) hydrogelnanocomposites containing graphene oxide (GO) and GO plus carbon nanotubes (CNT) in thepolymer network is communicated. This one-pot preparation methods include the dispersion ofGO (or GO plus CNT) in a solution of monomers and the subsequent polymerization. Thetexture of the nanocomposites was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wherevery compact surfaces are observed suggesting good dispersion of GO sheets and CNTs withinthe polymer matrix. The presence of GO inside the polymer network diminished theequilibrium swelling values and increased the elastic modulus up to 162 % with respect to thepure gel. Similar results were observed for the composite with CNT. Furthermore, theelectrical resistivity of PNIPAm-GO diminishes as the applied compression force increases,being 50 % lower than hydrogel without GO. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of thehydrogels, evaluated by cyclic voltammetry, indicate highly reversible electricalcharge/discharge response. In order to apply these materials for antibiotic delivery, theabsorption of tetracycline (tet) is evaluated and the nanocomposites showed better absorptioncapability and improved antibiotic delivery. Preliminary results suggest that tet loadedPNIPAm-GO and PNIPAM-GO-CNT display antimicrobial activity against the Pseudomonasaeruginosa turning these materials as potential candidates for biomedical applications.