How Composition Affects Adhesion Properties of a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Based on EudragitÒ E: An Experimental Design Approach

The aim of this report is to provide a systematic view on the effects of formulation composition on adhesion properties of an acrylate-based pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) for transdermal applications adopting a response surface methodology (RSM). A commercial acrylic resin, EudragitÒ E, was used as the base resin. The formulation variables were plasticizer (triethyl citrate, TEC, 30-50 wt.%), crosslinking agent (oxalic acid, OX, 0.5-1.5 wt.%) and antibacterial nanofiller (zinc oxide, ZnO 0-10 wt.%) concentrations relative to the base resin content in addition to nanofiller morphology i.e., needle and plate-like particles. Tackiness and peel strength were followed as cardinal adhesive properties. According to the results, the more plasticizer was used, the more peel strength and tackiness was achieved. OX showed an inverse effect with less significance. ZnO concentration and morphology played no role in adhesion properties at the significance level of 0.05.