Tuning drug release from smart microgel–hydrogel composites via cross-linking

Soft nanocomposite hydrogels consisting of thermoresponsive microgels physically entrapped or covalently cross-linked to a non-thermoresponsive hydrogel are synthesized and tested for their capacity to facilitate long-term drug release of a small molecule drug. Copolymer microgels based on N-isopropylacrylamide and acrylic acid were synthesized that exhibited ionic affinity for binding to bupivacaine, a cationic local anesthetic. These …