Geometry-Dependent Properties of Physically Crosslinked PPy-PVA Hydrogels Enable Tunable Iontophoretic Drug Delivery
Abstract
Objective: Iontophoretic drug delivery has primarily relied on current modulation to regulate drug transport. Here, we investigate hydrogel geometry, microstructure, and local electric fields as alternative mechanisms for controlling transdermal delivery. Methods: Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was encapsulated in polypyrrole-polyvinyl alcohol (PPy-PVA) hydrogels. Five geometries, including Hilbert curve-based designs, were fabricated to vary pore architecture and local electric field distributions. We optimized PPy content, drug loading, and current density. Electric fields were evaluated using finite element analysis, and microstructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Drug transport was assessed using Franz diffusion cells with artificial membranes. Results: Hydrogel geometries exhibited distinct microstructures and electric field distributions. Iontophoresis substantially enhanced permeability compared with passive diffusion, while individual geometries produced different cumulative release, flux, and permeability profiles. The average iontophoretic permeability was (3.80 +/- 1.93) x 10^-5, exceeding previously reported values using artificial membranes. Conclusion: Geometry-driven fabrication of drug-loaded hydrogels enables tunable transport characteristics under both iontophoretic and passive conditions. Significance: Geometry-mediated control offers an alternative approach to regulating iontophoretic drug delivery without requiring individual current-density modulation.
Versions
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BibTeX
@misc{kim2026geometrydependent,
title = {{Geometry-Dependent Properties of Physically Crosslinked PPy-PVA Hydrogels Enable Tunable Iontophoretic Drug Delivery}},
author = {Heather Jin Hee Kim and Mohsen Alishahi and Kyuin Park and Mikaila K. Roncevich and Larissa M. Shepherd and Cara M. Nunez},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2610.31567},
eprint = {2610.31567},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.31567},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Geometry-Dependent Properties of Physically Crosslinked PPy-PVA Hydrogels Enable Tunable Iontophoretic Drug Delivery
AU - Heather Jin Hee Kim
AU - Mohsen Alishahi
AU - Kyuin Park
AU - Mikaila K. Roncevich
AU - Larissa M. Shepherd
AU - Cara M. Nunez
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2610.31567
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.31567
AB - Objective: Iontophoretic drug delivery has primarily relied on current modulation to regulate drug transport. Here, we investigate hydrogel geometry, microstructure, and local electric fields as alternative mechanisms for controlling transdermal delivery. Methods: Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was encapsulated in polypyrrole-polyvinyl alcohol (PPy-PVA) hydrogels. Five geometries, including Hilbert curve-based designs, were fabricated to vary pore architecture and local electric field distributions. We optimized PPy content, drug loading, and current density. Electric fields were evaluated using finite element analysis, and microstructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Drug transport was assessed using Franz diffusion cells with artificial membranes. Results: Hydrogel geometries exhibited distinct microstructures and electric field distributions. Iontophoresis substantially enhanced permeability compared with passive diffusion, while individual geometries produced different cumulative release, flux, and permeability profiles. The average iontophoretic permeability was (3.80 +/- 1.93) x 10^-5, exceeding previously reported values using artificial membranes. Conclusion: Geometry-driven fabrication of drug-loaded hydrogels enables tunable transport characteristics under both iontophoretic and passive conditions. Significance: Geometry-mediated control offers an alternative approach to regulating iontophoretic drug delivery without requiring individual current-density modulation.
ER -