A type of itaconic acid modified polyacrylate with good mechanical performance and biocompatibility

A type of itaconic acid (IA) modified polyacrylate (PIA) was synthesized by ethyl acrylate (EA), ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) as co-monomers through the emulsion polymerization. The chemical structure of PIA characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR manifested the successful introduction of IA into PIA chains. The increase of IA content increased the particle size from 101.9 to 327.6 nm and lowered the ZETA potentials from −42.5 to −68.1 mV, respectively. It enhanced the tensile strength and tensile modulus of PIA films from 8.5 to 11.4 MPa and 82 to 582 MPa with the IA content ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 wt%. Also, Tg raised from 6.8 °C to 17.9 °C due to the compact structure and rigidity of the chains. Moreover, TGA indicated the increased thermal stability of PIA as the increase of IA content. Foremost, MTT colorimetric test proved PIA had higher cell viability and ALT serum activity than the common coating materials in the market. In vivo toxicity test evaluated by the physiological responses of mice through the oral administration also illustrated PIA was innoxious and had good biocompatibility. The obtained results indicated PIA would have great potential as drug coating materials in the pharmaceutical industry.