Conducting polymer-hydrogel composites for electrochemical release devices: Synthesis and characterization of semi-interpenetrating polyaniline-polyacrylamide networks

The synthesis of polyaniline-polyacrylamide composites by electro-polymerization of the conducting polymer inside an insulating hydrogel matrix of different pore sizes, is shown. The obtained new material is electroactive due to the presence of polyaniline inside the pores; the growth of the conducting polymer being corroborated by Raman Spectroscopy. Composites were also characterized by both, atomic force and scanning electron microscopies. The final aim of this study is to apply these composites for electrochemically controlled drug delivery devices. The well-known electro-mechanic properties of polyaniline would drive the drug release process upon an electric pulse. Release curves (amount of drug released vs. time) show the potential application of conducting semi-interpenetrating networks for the controlled release of safranin depending on the oxidation state of the electroactive part of the polymer-hydrogel composite.