Development and characterization of novel freeze-thawed polyvinyl alcohol/ halloysite hydrogels: An approach for drug delivery application

Abstract

The influence of aluminosilicates on the structure and drug release profiles of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) - halloysite (HNT) hydrogels containing acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as a model drug was monitored. The hydrogels were synthesized using a three cycle freeze - thawing procedure and were characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM. The swelling degree and cytotoxicity were also determined. All hydrogels properties were influenced by HNT concentration from the polymer matrix. The release of ASA, from PVA - HNT hydrogels was monitored in the gastrointestinal tract conditions.