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

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