Síntesis de hidrogeles poliméricos con inclusiones de nanopartículas magnéticas por el método de microemulsión inversa.

Abstract

The objective of the present research work was to synthesize polymeric hydrogels with magnetic nanoparticle inclusions (NPMs) by the inverse microemulsion polymerization method. The procedure was divided into two parts; the first consisted in the synthesis of the NPMs and the second in the proper structuring of the hydrogel functionalized with the NPMs, which in turn consisted in the mixture of two specific solutions. A factorial design consisting of 27 treatments with two repetitions each was used, with which the influence of three factors was studied: concentration of the polymer, melting temperature and time of homogenization on the degree of saturation of the final hydrogels. Concentrations were considered based on 0.04, 0.05 and 0.06% by mass of agarose, combined at 50, 60 and 70 ° C for intervals of 7, 10 and 15 min for homogenization. The samples were characterized by IR spectroscopy techniques. electron microscopy and refractometry; achieving the presence of functional groups, such as hydroxyl with a peak at 3311.18 cm-1, the peak at 709 cm-1 corresponding to the Fe-O-Fe bond of the hematite and the characteristic peak of the agarose at 994.125 cm-1. attributed to the 3,6 anhydrogalactose linkage; and, in addition, the homogeneous distribution of the NPMs around the hydrogel could be observed. The most favourable results were obtained by applying the medium level of treatment (0.05% agarose), providing a percentage of Brix degrees of 69,59% on average. With all the analyzed, it can be concluded that the synthesized hydrogel is chemically stable, with a homogeneous distribution of NPMs in its structure, which do not saturate the sample, opening the possibility of its later use in the transport of substances.