Radiopaque nanocomposites based on biocompatible iodinated N-phenyl amide-modified methyl methacrylate/acrylic acid copolymer

Abstract

New radiopaque nanocomposites were prepared using iodinated copolymers and cloisite 20A, as reinforcement agent. Iodinated copolymers were prepared through copolymerization of Methyl methacrylate and acrylic acid and subsequently modification of the P(MMA-co-AA) via 4-iodophenyl isocynate and 3,4,5-triiophenyl isocyanate for synthesis of 1I-P(MMA-co-AA) and 3I-P(MMA-co-AA) respectively. Preparation of the nanocomposites was carried out by the solution method using various amounts of organoclay. In order to investigate the effect of iodinated substituents on the morphology and thermal characteristics of the composite samples, the P(MMA-co-AA) was modified via phenyl isocyanate (PIC-P(MMA-co-AA)) and then the nanocomposites were prepared using cloisite 20A. All the nanocomposite samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopoy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The X-ray visibility of the radiopaque nanocomposites was also explored using X-radiography. The results obtained indicated that the iodinated nanocomposites had an excellent radiopacity, and due to their biocompatibility, they could be used for medical applications.