A study of the swelling and model protein release behaviours of radiation-formed poly(N-vinyl 2-pyrrolidone-co-acrylic acid) hydrogels

Hydrogels were prepared from poly(acrylic acid-co-N-vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(AA-co-VP) and mixtures of poly(AA-co-VP) and poly(ethylene oxide), PEO, by gamma radiolysis of aqueous solutions of the AA and VP monomers containing ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, EGDMA, as crosslinker and PEO. The AA/VP composition range of the poly(AA-co-VP) was XAA 0.7-0.9. The swelling behaviours of the hydrogels from the dry state were investigated in water (pH 6.5) and 50 mM 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-1-ethylsulfonic acid buffer, HEPES buffer, at pH 7.4 and 295 K. The effects of poly(AA-co-VP) composition, crosslinker mole fraction and the presence of PEO on the equilibrium swelling ratio for the gels was examined. The kinetics of the release of a model protein, horseradish peroxidase, HRP, from the hydrogels in water were also studied at 295 K.