Upon the emulsion polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with 3,9-divinyl-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]-undecane

The radical emulsion copolymerization process between 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 3,9-divinyl-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]-undecane, an acetal-type crosslinking agent comonomer, it is presented. The conversion, polymerization rate, particle size and zeta potential were investigated. It was found that the presence of the crosslinking agent comonomer determines the slowly decrease of the conversion. As it was expected the addition of the crosslinking agent determines the increase of the hydrodynamic diameter and the decrease of the zeta potential and the conductivity. The copolymer formation was confirmed by FT-IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. It was also evidenced that the cycle (tetraoxaspiro) is not opened during the polymerization process. The copolymer composition recommends the prepared compounds as biomaterials. Also, owing to the tetraoxaspiro cycle presence the synthesized copolymeric network degrades in the acid medium allowing its use for future drug delivery systems applications. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.