Open Access Conference Proceedings

Transport and barrier properties are important material characteristics in terms of the development of the targeted drug delivery systems. Therefore, this work focused on the study of the possibility of influencing these properties and internal architecture in a model hydrogel system formed by a semi-interpenetrating polymer network with an incorporated polyelectrolyte component. Due to its application potential and its extensive use in medicine, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) was chosen as the model hydrogel system for this work. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate was used as the interpenetrating linear polymer. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the structure of the three-dimensional hydrogel network. Transport properties were monitored by diffusion tests. Furthermore, diffusion through the hydrogel (barrier properties) was monitored using diffusion cells (Franz cells, horizontal cells). The usability of the semi-interpenetrating polymer network concept for the preparation of materials with tunable relevant properties was confirmed on the proposed materials.

Keywords: Hydrogel, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), transport properties, drug delivery systems

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