Photoinitiator-free Photopolymerization Technique for Hydrogels Synthesis Involving Ampholytic Charge-Transfer Complex

摘要

Copolymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with A/-vinylpyrrolidinone and N-vinylcaprolactam were synthesized using the photoinitiator-free technique with the polymerization process being initiated by an ampholytic charge-transfer complex. These copolymers formed were found to be capable of functioning as hydrogels. Comparative studies on the swelling behaviour of these hydrogels in pH 5 and pH 7.4 environments showed that these hydrogels are pH responsive.