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Copolymerization and polymer blending of trimethylene carbonate and adipic anhydride for tailored drug delivery
Author(s) -
Edlund Ulrica,
Albertsson AnnChristine
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4628(19990411)72:2<227::aid-app8>3.0.co;2-z
Subject(s) - plasticizer , copolymer , materials science , polycarbonate , polymer chemistry , polymer , chemical engineering , trimethylene carbonate , adipic acid , drug delivery , polymer blend , composite material , nanotechnology , engineering
The copolymerization in bulk and solution of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) with adipic anhydride (AA) as well as the blending of homopolymers are described. We show experimentally that the components are not copolymerizable but partially miscible, forming a microscopic dispersion without any visible signs of phase separation. Poly(adipic anhydride) (PAA) functions as a plasticizer, permitting an increase in the erosion rate by increasing the porosity and hydration. Drug delivery from the blends was evaluated. A statistical factorial model was designed to explore the influence of three important blend parameters and their interactions, making it possible to predict the erosion and drug‐release behavior of the blend matrices. The PAA:poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) ratio and molecular weight of the polycarbonate component significantly influence the drug‐release performance, mass loss, and degree of plasticization. The interaction among these factors also influences the blend properties. Plasticization of PTMC enhances the drug release to an extent that is dependent on the amount of PAA used. We demonstrate that blending offers a convenient alternative to copolymerization for the preparation of polymer matrices with predictable drug delivery. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 227–239, 1999