Polymer nano-hybrid material based on graphene oxide/POSS via surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP): Its application in specialty hydrogel system

In this investigation we report the preparation of a hybrid material based on graphene oxide (GO) and POSS by surface modification of graphene oxide (GO) via SI-ATRP of methacryloisobutyl POSS (MAPOSS) and synthesis of composite hydrogel based on this material. This hybrid material (GO-PMAPOSS) was duly characterized by FTIR, Raman analysis, GPC, TEM, FESEM, goniometry and TGA analyses. Compared to GO, PMAPOSS modified GO showed better solubility in organic solvent (THF) and higher hydrophobicity. Later this GO-PMAPOSS hybrid material was introduced into starch-polyacrylamide based semi IPN hydrogel which was prepared by using free radical polymerization of acrylamide in presence of starch. TEM and FESEM analyses revealed that GO-PMAPOSS hybrid material formed a hydrophobic path inside the hydrogel through self-association of the hydrophobic POSS chains. It was noticed that the presence of this hydrophobic part on hydrogel surface and in bulk phase helped to reduce the platelet adhesion as compared to hydrogel without GO-PMAPOSS hybrid material. The composite hydrogel also showed superior red blood cell compatibility and good cytocompatibility. This composite hydrogel was capable of performing controlled release of drug. Here Ciprofloxacin was used as a model antibiotic drug. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.