PH sensitive poly(methyl methacrylate-co-acryloyl phenylalanine) nanogels and their silver nanocomposites for biomedical applications

Poly (methyl methacrylate-co-acryloylphenylalanine) (PMAPA) nanogels (NGs) were developed by a simple surfactant free emulsion polymerization method. PMAPA NGs were composed from the copolymerization of MMA, APA crosslinked with EGDMA. A green approach was employed to synthesize silver nanoparticles in PMAPA NG networks using leaf extract of Limonia acidissima. The NGs and their silver nanocomposite were used for controlled release of 5-Fluorouracil and antimicrobial activity against Bacilli and Escherichia coli, respectively. Chemical, structural interactions, thermal and morphological properties of PMAPA nano hydrogels are characterized by FTIR, XRD, DSC, TEM and DLS, respectively. The average size of nano hydrogels were achieved up to 40e120 nm. The % encapsulation efficiency was achieved up to 53.43 ± 1.7 by equilibrium swelling method.