Cross-Linked Polymeric Gels and Nanocomposites: New Materials and Phenomena Enabling Technological Applications

Cross-linked gels are synthesized by homo- and copolymerization of functionalized acrylamides. The gels swell in aqueous solution, and some of them (e.g., poly(N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAM)) also in organic solvents of low polarity (e.g., dichloromethane), making the gels amphiphilic materials. Nanocomposites can be made by dispersing nanoparticles (metallic, graphene, nanotubes, and conducting polymers) inside the gels. Additionally, true semi-interpenetrated networks of polyaniline (PANI) inside PNIPAM gels can be prepared by swelling the gel in true solutions of PANI in NMP. PNIPAM-based nanocomposites show a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) transition of the gel matrix, which can be reached by thermal heating or absorption of electromagnetic radiation (light, microwaves, radiofrequency) in the conductive nanomaterials. The characteristic properties (swelling degree and rate, LCST, solute partition, mass transport, hydrophilicity, biocompatibility) can be tuned by changing the functional groups in the copolymers and/or the other components in the nanocomposite. Mass transport and mechanical properties can be adjusted by forming materials with macro- (nanoporous and macroporous), micro- (microgels, thin films, Pickering emulsions), or nano- (nanogels, stabilized nanoparticles) sized features. The material properties are used to produce technological applications: sensors, actuators, controlled release, biological cell scaffolds and surfaces, antimicrobial, carriers of bioactive substances, and matrixes to immobilize enzymes and yeast cells.