Release of tetracycline hydrochloride from (methacrylamide–comethacrylic acid)/ montmorillonite nanocomposite hydrogels

Nanocomposites hydrogel composed of methacrylamide (MAAm), methacrylic acid (MAAc) and montmorillonite (cloisite 15A) were prepared and studied for swelling behavior and control drug release of tetracycline hydrochloride. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the MMT incorporated into the nanohydrogel exhibited an exfoliated nanostructure. The exfoliated silica nanosheets are able to act as cross-linkers to form a network structure between the polymer and MMT, and this difference in the cross-linking density strongly affects the release of tetracycline. Results showed that the swelling ratio for the present nanocomposite hydrogels increased with an increase of montmorillonite. Finally, the pH-responsive behaviors of these hydrogels were investigated.