Characterization and Potential Application of Electro‐Active Acrylamido‐2‐methyl Propane Sulfonic Acid/Acrylic Acid Copolymer Prepared by Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

A new electro active polymeric material was synthesized by gamma radiation induced copolymerization of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and acrylic acid (AAc). The prepared copolymer hydrogels were characterized by studying their swelling behavior in response to the environmental conditions such as pH and ionic strength. The electro active characteristics of AMPS/AAc hydrogels were evaluated by investigating their swelling rate, deswelling behavior, and bending behavior under the influence of the applied electric field. The effects of copolymer composition, applied voltage and ionic strength on the electro active characteristics of the prepared AMPS/AAc were also studied. The results show that the electro active characteristics increased by increasing AMPS content in the copolymer, ionic strength as well as applied voltage. Meanwhile, electro active property decreases by the increase of AAc content, as well as crosslinking density. The possibility of using the prepared hydrogel as a carrier for electric controlled drug delivery systems was examined by measuring the release of theophylline in response to the application of the electric field. The release of drugs showed complete dependence on the application of the electric field.