Dual Temperature and pH Sensitive Poly(ethyl methacrylate‐<i>co</i>‐acrylamide) Nanogels Have Potential for Controlled Release of Doxorubicin

Abstract In this study, the synthesis and characterization of poly(ethyl methacrylate‐ co ‐acrylamide) (i.e., poly(EMA‐ co ‐AAm)) nanogels and the loading and release studies of doxorubicin hydrochloride were carried out. The synthesis of nanogels was carried out using the emulsion polymerization technique at 60 °C. Swelling experiments showed that the nanogels were sensitive to temperature and pH of the medium. Zeta sizer analysis results showed that the synthesized nanogels had an average size of 23.17 nm and the PDI value was 0.270. In the loading studies of doxorubicin into nanogels, the drug loading capacity (DLC) of the nanogel was determined as 32% and the drug loading efficiency (DLE) was determined as 77%. Release studies conducted at pH = 5.4 and pH = 7.4 at 37 °C showed that the release percentage was 17% even in 32 h at pH = 7.4, and 82% in 5 h at pH = 5.4. Release studies conducted at different temperatures at pH = 5.4 revealed that the release percentage was 82% at 37 °C, 85% at 39 °C, and 89% at 41 °C. These results revealed that poly(EMA‐ co ‐AAm) nanogels can be used in targeted controlled release of doxorubicin and can increase drug effects while reducing side effects.