Effect of the crosslinking level on the properties of temperature-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels
In this study, the effect of the level of crosslinking on the properties of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels was investigated in terms of their lower critical solution temperature (LCST), interior morphology, equilibrium swelling, and deswelling and swelling kinetics. The thermal anal...
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Published in | Journal of polymer science. Part B, Polymer physics Vol. 41; no. 6; pp. 582 - 593 |
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Main Authors | , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
New York
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
15.03.2003
Wiley |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | In this study, the effect of the level of crosslinking on the properties of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels was investigated in terms of their lower critical solution temperature (LCST), interior morphology, equilibrium swelling, and deswelling and swelling kinetics. The thermal analysis showed that PNIPAAm hydrogels, having a wide range of crosslinking levels, exhibited almost the same LCSTs, and this was different from what the conventional theory would have predicted. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that the interior network structure of the PNIPAAm matrix became more porous with an increase in the level of crosslinking. This more porous matrix provided numerous water channels for water diffusion in or out of the matrix and, therefore, an improved response rate to the external temperature changes during the deswelling process and the swelling process. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 582–593, 2003 |
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Bibliography: | National Textile Center ark:/67375/WNG-SZJF2M3R-Z ArticleID:POLB10388 istex:CD058A2AB97A4C75D6F2DEF509C9EFB531701ACF |
ISSN: | 0887-6266 1099-0488 |
DOI: | 10.1002/polb.10388 |