Synthesis and Characterization of Bentonite/Alginate Based Nanocomposite for Drug Delivery

M.M.S. LENCINA; M.D. NINAGO; R.O. DI SANTO; A.E. CIOLINO; M.A. VILLAR

Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires

Conferencia; 6th International Conference on Science and Technology of Composite Materials; 2015

Facultad de Ingeniería, UBA

Hydrogels based on calcium alginate and semi-interpenetrating networks of alginate/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide (ALG/PN) crosslinked by calcium ions and different bentonite (BN) concentration were prepared. The characterization of these composites revealed that hydrogel formation by dropping is an efficient method to entrap PN and BN in alginate beads. Swelling assays were performed at 24 and 37 °C. ALG/PN/BN hydrogels presented a thermos-response associated to PN content, showing lower SR values at 37°C. Furthermore, BN addition into ALG/PN beads produced a significant reduction of SR and this effect is more evident with higher amounts of BN. In contrast, ALG/BN beads SR values increased with temperature due to the higher chain mobility.