P(4-vinyl pyridine) hydrogel use for the removal of UO(2)(2+) and Th(4+) from aqueous environments.

4-vinyl pyridine (4-VP) based hydrogels with 2-hydroxyethylmetacrylate (HEMA) and magnetic composites were prepared and tested for use in the removal of UO(2)(2+) and Th(4+) ions from aqueous environments. It was found that the absorption of these metal ions from aqueous environments decreased with an increase in the amount of HEMA contained within p(4-VP-co-HEMA) hydrogels between 0.498 mmol for pure p(4-VP) and 0.027 mmol for pure p(HEMA). The characterization of the hydrogels was determined by swelling experiments, FT-IR and thermal analysis. The effects of initial metal ion concentration, hydrogel amount and the temperature of the medium on absorption of the ions were investigated. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were constructed for the absorption of UO(2)(2+) and Th(4+). Both isotherms demonstrated that these metal ions complied with monolayer absorption kinetics.

Removal of toxic metal ions with magnetic hydrogels.

Hydrogels, based on 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propansulfonic acid (AMPS) were synthesized via photopolymerization technique and used for the preparation of magnetic responsive composite hydrogels. These composite hydrogels with magnetic properties were further utilized for the removal of toxic metal ions such as Cd(II), Co(II), Fe(II), Pb(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cr(III) from aqueous environments. It was revealed that hydrogel networks with magnetic properties can effectively be utilized in the removal of pollutants. The results verified that magnetic iron particle containing p(AMPS) hydrogel networks provide advantageous over conventional techniques. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were applied for toxic metal removal and both isotherms were fit reasonably well for the metal ion absorptions.

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of IPN hydrogels for antibiotic release.

We prepared new ternary interpenetrating polymeric networks (IPN) systems containing chitosan, poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(acrylamide) polymers. IPNs were synthesized by radical polymerization of acrylamide monomers in presence of glutaraldehyde (G) and N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide as crosslinkers and the other polymers. These IPNs were named as C-P-A. Glutaraldehyde were used in different concentration to control the network porous of IPNs. Spectroscopic and thermal analyses of these cylindrical shaped IPNs were made with fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and thermomechanical analysis. Swelling studies of IPNs were carried out at pH 1.1 and pH 7.4 at 37 degrees C. The swelling and diffusion parameters of IPNs in these solutions were calculated. Amoxicillin as a bioactive species was entrapped to the IPNs during synthesis. In vitro release kinetics of IPNs were investigated. The experimental data of swelling and release studies suggest clearly that the swelling and release process obeys second-order kinetics. The release of the entrapped bioactive species from IPNs depends on the degree of crosslinking of the polymer and pH of the medium at body temperature. We observed that amoxicillin release at pH 1.1 was higher than at pH 7.4. As a result, IPNs-based chitosan with different cross-linker concentration could be promising candidates for formulation in oral gastrointestinal delivery systems.