Effects of synthesis-solvent on Characteristics of poly(N-isopropyIacry!amide) hydrogels synthesized by Frontal Polymerization

摘要

The synthesis of thermo-responsive hydrogels poly(N-isopropylacrylamide )(PNIPAm) by frontal polymerization (FP) was carried out in four mixed solvents, i.e. dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) mixing with water, ethanol, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and acetone, respectively. The influences of mixed solvent on frontal parameters, pore morphologies, swelling behavior of PNIPAm hydrogels were investigated. The pore of PNIPAm hydrogel synthesized in THF/DMSO was observed a big honeycomb cells, others were channel-like cells. Furthermore, the sample obtained in THF/DMSO had higher swelling ratio as compared to others, and the one synthesized in Water/DMSO showed the lowest. Above results indicated that fine-tuned poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels can be prepared in short time and with easy protocol by adjusting mixed solvents in frontal polymerization process.