Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) based polymer nanogels for drug delivery applications

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), a well documented and widely accepted polymer for synthesis of drug delivery nanoparticles for controlled release applications, is used in this study in conjunction with maleic acid (MA), a non-toxic, cellular component. This research aims to synthesize polymer nanogels for controlled release of drug by tuning the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM to slightly above the body temperature using MA. MA was found to augment the hydrophilic nature of PNIPAM and thereby increase its LCST. MA is used in different concentrations to study its effect on the LCST of PNIPAM and polymer nanogels with size and swelling behavior ideal for biological applications have been obtained.