Olgun Güven

A review on the radiation synthesis of copolymeric hydrogels for adsorption and separation purposes

Recent theoretical and experimental work on the radiation synthesis, characterization and the use of hydrogels containing diprotic acid moieties have been reviewed. It is shown that upon incorporating vinyl monomers carrying diprotic acid groups randomly in the main chain, non-ionic hydrogels like poly(acryl amide) and poly(n-vinyl 2-pyrrolidone) acquired stimuli-responsive behaviours. The swelling behaviours of these hydrogels are shown to be predictable reliably under varying solution conditions by a theoretical expression derived recently. Examples are given for the utilization of these hydrogels in the adsorption and separation of biomolecules, dyes and metal ions in aqueous media and their ability to release drugs in stepwise manner in response to pH of the environment.

In vitro swelling studies and preliminary biocompatibility evaluation of acrylamide-based hydrogels

In this in vitro study, the biocompatibility of acrylamide-based hydrogels such as acrylamide/crotonic and acrylamide/itaconic acid, prepared by using gamma-rays, has been investigated against some biochemical parameters of human serum. The swelling kinetics of acrylamide/crotonic and acrylamide/itaconic acid hydrogels are investigated in distilled water and physiological saline solution and some swelling and diffusion parameters have been calculated. For the analysis of biocompatibility, acrylamide/crotonic and acrylamide/itaconic acid hydrogels are incubated in 10 different human sera for 24 h and their biocompatibilities with some biochemical parameters have been investigated. No significant difference in values before and after the test procedures have been found. It is therefore concluded that acrylamide/crotonic and acrylamide/itaconic acid hydrogels are biocompatible.

Design and evaluation of sustained-release and buccal adhesive propranolol hydrochloride tablets

Abstract The release of propranolol hydrochloride incorporated into sustained-release and buccal adhesive tablets was studied in vitro. The formulation containing 20% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) yielded good sustained-release matrix tablets. Buccal adhesive controlled-release tablets were prepared by compression of HPMC with polycarbophil (PAA), which served as the bioactive adhesive compound. The release behaviour of buccal adhesive tablets was found to be non-Fickian. The adhesion force was significantly affected by the mixing ratio of HPMC and PAA in the tablet and the weakest adhesion force was observed at the ratio of 1:1 (HPMC:PAA). Interpolymer complex formation was confirmed between HPMC and PAA in acidic medium by turbidity, viscosity and FT-IR measurements. The kinetics of sustained-release and buccal adhesive tablets of propranolol were examined in nine healthy volunteers. Conventional propranolol (Dideral®) was also studied for comparison purposes. As compared to conventional propranolol (40 mg), a single dose of 20% HPMC (160 mg) produced a smoother plasma level profile, with lower and delayed peak times. Dose corrected AUC0–8 values were greater after Dideral® than after 20% HPMC (168.7 ± 80.3 vs 97.3 ± 36.1 ng h ml−1 p 0.05) in the AUC0–4 values between 20% HPMC and buccal adhesive tablets.

Polymer recycling: potential application of radiation technology

Abstract Management of solid waste is an important problem, which is becoming progressively worse as a byproduct of continuing economic growth and development. Polymeric materials (plastics and rubbers) comprise a steadily increasing proportion of the municipal and industrial waste going into landfill. Development of technologies for reducing polymeric waste, which are acceptable from the environmental standpoint, and which are cost-effective, has proven to be a difficult challenge due to complexities inherent in the reuse of polymers. Establishing optimal processes for the reuse/recycling of polymeric materials thus remains a worldwide challenge as we enter the new century. Due to the ability of ionizing radiation to alter the structure and properties of bulk polymeric materials, and the fact that it is applicable to essentially all polymer types, irradiation holds promise for impacting the polymer waste problem. The three main possibilities for use of radiation in this application are: (1) enhancing the mechanical properties and performance of recovered materials or material blends, principally through crosslinking, or through surface modification of different phases being combined; (2) treatment causing or enhancing the decomposition of polymers, particularly through chain scission, leading to recovery of either low molecular weight mixtures, or powders, for use as chemical feedstocks or additives; (3) production of advanced polymeric materials designed for environmental compatibility. This paper provides an overview of the polymer recycling problem, describes the major technological obstacles to the implementation of recycling technologies, and outlines some of the approaches being taken. A review of radiation-based recycling research is then provided, followed by a discussion of future directions where irradiation may be relevant to the problems currently inhibiting the widespread recycling of polymeric materials.

Preparation and characterization of poly(n-vinyl 2-pyrrolidone) hydrogels

Abstract Hydrogels in the form of rods were prepared from the ternary systems n -vinyl 2-pyrrolidone/crosslinking agent/water, in composition ranges where the three components were completely miscible. Gelation was achieved by irradiating the systems with γ rays at ambient temperature. The incorporation of water into the binary system of monomer/crosslinking agent reduced the gelation dose 120-fold. The influence of dose, functionality of the crosslinking agent, and relative amounts of crosslinking agent and water on the swelling properties, diffusion behaviour of water and mechanical properties of the hydrogels were investigated. Hydrogels with swelling capabilities in the range 140–420% were obtained with tensile strength values between 0.721 and 2.717 MN m −2 .

Behaviors of acrylamide/itaconic acid hydrogels in uptake of uranyl ions from aqueous solutions

Abstract In this study, adsorptions of uranyl ions from two different aqueous uranyl solutions by acrylamide-itaconic acid hydrogels were investigated by a spectroscopic method. The hydrogels were prepared by irradiating with γ-radiation. In the experiment of uranyl ions adsorption, Type II adsorption was found. One gram of acrylamide-itaconic acid hydrogels sorbed 178–219 mg uranyl ions from the solutions of uranyl acetate, 42–76 mg uranyl ions from the aqueous solutions of uranyl nitrate, while acrylamide hydrogel did not sorb any uranyl ion. For the hydrogel containing 40 mg of itaconic acid and irradiated to 3.73 kGy, swelling of the hydrogels was observed in water (1660%), in the aqueous solution of uranyl acetate (730%), and in the aqueous solution of uranyl nitrate (580%). Diffusions of water onto hydrogels were a non-Fickian type of diffusion, whereas diffusions of uranyl ions were a Fickian type of diffusion.

Synthesis and characterization of acrylamide–acrylic acid hydrogels and adsorption of some textile dyes

Abstract Acrylamide (AAm)–acrylic acid (AAc) hydrogels have been prepared at AAm initial compositions of 15%, 20% and 30%. AAm–AAc monomer mixtures have been irradiated in a 60 Co-γ source at different doses and percent conversions have been determined gravimetrically. 100% conversion of monomers into hydrogels was achieved at 8 kGy dose. These hydrogels were swollen in distilled water at pH 3.03, 4.18, 4.68, 5.05, 5.30, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0. The results of swelling tests at pH 8.0 indicated that poly(AAm–AAc) hydrogels prepared from solution containing 15% (mol%) AAm showed maximum % swelling as 3000%. Poly(AAm–AAc) hydrogels have been considered for the removal of some textile dyes from aqueous solutions. Among the two common textile dyes tested, Janus Green B (JGB) has showed the highest adsorption capacity while Congo Red (CR) was not adsorbed by these hydrogels. Adsorption isotherms were constructed for JGB and poly(AAm/AAc) gel systems. It is concluded that cross-linked poly(AAm/AAc) hydrogels can be successfully used in the purification of waste water containing certain textile dyes.

Controlled release of terbinafine hydrochloride from pH sensitive poly(acrylamide/maleic acid) hydrogels.

Adsorption and controlled release of terbinafine hydrochloride (TER-HCl) to and from pH sensitive poly(acrylamide/maleic acid) (P(AAm/MA)) hydrogels were investigated. P(AAm/MA) hydrogels were prepared by irradiating the ternary mixtures of AAm/MA/and water by gamma-rays at ambient temperature. Antifungal drug, TER-HCl containing hydrogels, at different drug to polymer ratios, was prepared by direct adsorption method. The influence of MA content in the gel on the adsorption capacities of hydrogel and the effect of pH on the releasing behavior of TER-HCl from gel matrix were investigated. Terbinafine adsorption capacity of hydrogels are found to increase from 2 to 38 mg TER-HCl per g dry gel with increasing amount of MA in the gel system. In vitro drug release studies in different buffer solutions show that the basic parameters affecting the drug release behavior of hydrogel are the pH of the solution and MA content of hydrogel.

Determination of average molecular weight between cross-links (Mc) from swelling behaviours of diprotic acid-containing hydrogels

Abstract Determination of average molecular weight between cross-links ( M c ) of itaconic acid-containing poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and maleic acid-containing poly(acrylamide) hydrogels sensitive to pH changes of the swelling medium was investigated. Poly-electrolyte hydrogels with varying compositions were prepared in the form of rods from ternary mixtures of N-vinyl 2-pyrrolidone/itaconic acid/water and acrylamide/maleic acid/water. Gelation was achieved by irradiating the system with γ rays at ambient temperature. The equation modified by the authors recently for the determination of M c is observed to describe very well the swelling behaviour of charged polymeric networks. In addition to the evaluation of M c from swelling data, the same equation also provides the simultaneous measurement of polymer–solvent interaction parameter of the systems investigated.

Adsorptions of Some Heavy Metal Ions in Aqueous Solutions by Acrylamide/Maleic Acid Hydrogels

Abstract In this study, acrylamide—maleic acid (AAm/MA) hydrogels in the form of rod have been prepared by γ-radiation. They have been used for adsorption of some heavy metal ions such as uranium, iron, and copper. For the hydrogel containing 40 mg of maleic acid and irradiated at 3.73 kGy, maximum and minimum swellings in the aqueous solutions of the heavy metal ions have been observed with water (1480%) and the aqueous solution of iron(III) nitrate (410%), respectively. Diffusions of water and heavy metal ions onto hydrogels have been found to be of the non-Fickian type of diffusion. In experiments of uranyl ions adsorption, Type II adsorption has been found. One gram of AAm/MA hydrogels sorbed 14–86 mg uranyl ions from solutions of uranyl acetate, 14–90 mg uranyl ions from solutions of uranyl nitrate, 16–39 mg iron ions from solutions of iron(IV) nitrate, and 28–81 mg copper ions from solutions of copper acetate, while acrylamide hydrogel did not sorb any heavy metals ions.