Effect of polyethylene glycol on cellulose acetate films designed for controlled porosity osmotic pump systems

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the properties of the films containing cellulose acetate and different amounts of polyethylene glycol 200 designed for controlled porosity osmotic pump systems. Polyethylene glycol 200 was used as a plasticizer and pore-forming agent and was incorporated into the cellulose acetate films at the varied concentrations. Water permeability through the films was determined based on the osmotic pump system using a device developed for this study. The film properties including polymer interaction, mechanical properties, swelling properties, thickness, porosity, polarity and morphology of the films were investigated. The amount of polyethylene glycol 200 had an effect on the film strength and the water permeability, increasing the amount resulted in greater water permeability. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that there was an increase in the number of pores in the films as the polyethylene glycol 200 content was increased. Moreover, the thickness of the films also affected the water permeation rate, increasing the thickness led to a decrease in the water permeability. This study reported additional knowledge regarding the properties and characteristics of cellulose acetate films with different proportions of polyethylene glycol 200. This could be applied to the development of a pharmaceutical formulation especially a controlled porosity osmotic pump system in the future.