Solubility of dense CO2 in two biocompatible acrylate copolymers

Abstract

Biocompatible polymers and copolymers are frequently being used as part of controlled delivery systems. These systems can be prepared using a “clean and environment friendly” technology like supercritical fluids. One great advantage of this process is that compressed carbon dioxide has excellent plasticizing properties and can swell most biocompatible polymeric matrixes, thus promoting drug impregnation processes. Mass sorption of two acrylate biocompatible copolymers contact with supercritical carbon dioxide is reported. Equilibrium solubility of dense carbon dioxide in poly(methylmethacrylate-coethylhexylacrylate) and poly(methylmethacrylate-co-ethylhexylacrylate-co-ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate) was studied by a static method at 10.0 MPa and 313 K. The reticulated copolymer had Fickean behavior and its diffusion coefficient was calculated, under operating conditions.