Polymeric films were prepared based on chitosan and its blends with poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) by casting from aqueous solutions. These materials were characterised using a number of physicochemical techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, wide angle x-ray diffraction, tensile testing and scanning electron microscopy. All these studies indicate that there is a weak intermacromolecular hydrogen bonding between these polymers, which facilitates their complete miscibility in solid state. These films were formulated with sodium fluorescein as a model drug and were evaluated for their potential application in ocular drug delivery both in vitro and in vivo. It was established that the films are biocompatible and mucoadhesive; they are capable of providing a sustained drug release when administered topically on the cornea.

Chitosan (CHI) and chitosan/poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (CHI/POZ)-based films were prepared by casting from aqueous solutions of polymer blends with different compositions. Ciprofloxacin was used as a model drug in these formulations. The weight, thickness, folding endurance and transparency of blend films were measured and characterised. All films had a uniform thickness (0.06 ± 0.01 mm) and exhibited sufficient flexibility. The surface pHs of films ranged from 3.76 ± 0.49 to 4.14 ± 0.32, which is within the pH range suitable for vaginal applications. The cumulative release of the drug from the films in experiments in vitro was found to be 42 ± 2% and 56 ± 1% for pure CHI and CHI/POZ (40:60) films, respectively. Drug-free chitosan/poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) films showed weak antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. Drug-loaded CHI and CHI/POZ films showed good antimicrobial properties against both Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli. Mucoadhesive properties of these films with respect to freshly excised sheep vaginal mucosa were evaluated using a tensile method. It was established that all films were mucoadhesive, but an increase in POZ content in the blend resulted in a gradual reduction of their ability to stick to vaginal mucosa. These films could potentially find applications in vaginal drug delivery.

Thiol-ene "click reactions" as a promising approach to polymer materials Article Accepted Version Kazybayeva, D. S., Irmukhametova, G. S. and Khutoryanskiy, V. V. ( 2021) Thiol-ene "click reactions" as a promising approach to polymer materials. Polymer Science, Series B.

Thiol‐ene click reactions of pentaerythritol tetrakis(3‐mercaptopropionate) with pentaerythritol tetraacrylate and trimethylolpropane triacrylate were used to prepare polymeric degradable networks. The structure and properties of these networks were studied using Fourier‐transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Degradation of these materials was evaluated in different media including phosphate buffer with and without esterase as well as in oxidative environment with hydrogen peroxide. Exposure of the samples to these media results in their degradation. Slow hydrolytic degradation was observed in phosphate buffer and it was not accelerated by the presence of an enzyme. Faster degradation is observed in solutions of hydrogen peroxide. The mechanisms of this degradation are discussed.

The work is devoted to the synthesis and characterization of gels based on the monomers pentaerythritol triaacrylate (PETriA) and 2,2 '-(ethylenedioxy)diethanethiol (EDODET) by thiol-ene "click" polymerization. The properties of the obtained gels were investigated by IR, Raman spectroscopy, mechanical analysis. Sol-gel analysis of obtained networks was carried out and the degradability was investigated. The results of IR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of -C = O and -C-O-C- groups in the composition of the obtained gels. The presence of unreacted C = C bonds conjugated with C = O, as well as thiol groups, varies depending on the composition of the initial monomer mixture (IMM). Raman spectroscopy results correlate well with IR data. Raman spectra also show C-S, S-S and SH characteristic bands that are difficult to identify by IR spectroscopy. It was found that the composition of MM affects the physicochemical properties of the synthesized gels. The highest yield of the gel fraction of obtained polymers was found in samples with an equimolar composition of IMM. The analysis of mechanical properties showed that gels with an excess of PETriA exhibit more elastic properties, and an excess of EDODET leads to the formation of networks with a higher crosslinking density. The study of the ability of obtained PETria-EDODET gels to degrade in a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide showed that the polymer network degrades by 12% within 60 days. This property of the obtained gels can find application in the creation of targeted drug delivery systems with their prolonged release.