Photoresponses and pH responses of hydrogels composed of acrylamido azobenzene and acrylic acid

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 96; no. 6; pp. 2163 - 2167
• Main Authors: Chen, Li, Li, Shi-Geng, Zhao, Yi-Ping, Wang, Yu-Cui, Wang, Qing-Wen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 15.06.2005; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; copolymerization; Exact sciences and technology; hydrogels; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polymers with particular properties; Preparation, kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanism and catalysts; Properties and characterization; Solution and gel properties; stimuli-sensitive polymers; Photosensitivity; copolymerization; stimuli-sensitive polymers; Acrylic acid copolymer; Acrylamide derivative copolymer; hydrogels; Cis trans isomerization; Experimental study; Phase transitions; Colloidal gel; Polyelectrolyte; Azo compound; Side chain; Medium effect; Preparation; pH; Light sensitive copolymer; Radical copolymerization
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.21675

A monomer with a side‐chain azobenzide, acrylamido azobenzene (AAAB), was synthesized, and a series of poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamido azobenzene) polymers and gels were prepared through the copolymerization of this AAAB monomer with acrylic acid. Their responses to pH and ultraviolet light were studied. These copolymers and gels showed good pH responses and photoresponses; these responses were caused by the ionization of carboxyl and the cis–trans isomerism of azobenzide, respectively. The molecular structures of the copolymers and gels were also studied with X‐ray diffraction, and the results showed that the copolymers with a certain amount of AAAB could form crystalline structures. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2163–2167, 2005