Stimuli Responsive Hydrogels: NIPAM/AAm/Carboxylic Acid Polymers

Abstract Stimuli-responsive hydrogels (SRH) were prepared by using monomers (i.e. N-isopropyl acrylamide; NIPAM and acrylamide; AAm), co-monomers (i.e. methacrylic acid; MPA or mesaconic acid; MFA) and a crosslinker (N, N’-methylene bisacrylamide; N-Bis). SRH have been prepared by thermal free radical polymerization reaction in aqueous solution. Spectroscopic and thermal analyses such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analysis were performed for SRH characterization. The equilibrium swelling studies by gravimetrically were carried out in different solvents, at the solutions, temperature, pH, and ionic strengths to determine their effect on swelling characteristic of the hydrogels. In addition, cycles equilibrium swelling studies were made with the solutions at different temperatures and at different pH. NIPAM/AAm hydrogel exhibits a lover critical solution temperature (LCST) at 28 oC, whereas NIPAM/AAm-MPA and NIPAM/AAm-MFA hydrogels exhibit a LCST at 31 C and 35 oC, respectively, and the LCST of NIPAM/AAm-MFA hydrogel is close to the body temperature.