Synthesis and Properties of Poly(N-tertbutylacrylamide-co-acrylamide)/ Silica Composite Hydrogels

By : Qimeng Li, Canzhu Gao, Zhongfa cheng

Page No: 233-246

Abstract
In order to synthesize a series of temperature sensitive hydrogels, the N-tert-butylacrylamide (NTBA) and acrylamide (AAm) were selected as the comonomers and polymerized by free[1]radical copolymerizarion. Poly (NTBA-co-AAm)/silica (STA) composite hydrogels with prescribed feed composition of NTBA and AAm (50:50 mol%) were prepared by incorporating spherical silica particles (100mm) as the pore-forming agents. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for revealing the porous structure of hydrogels. The STA hydrogels exhibited a much faster response than hydrogels without Silica (TA) during swelling and deswelling processes. Particularly, the macroporous structure of STA hydrogels can greatly improve the shrinking rate of deswelling process. The pulsatile swelling-deswelling cycles were repeatable with excellent reproducibility. Such STA hydrogels may be used as a support for controlled release of macromolecular agents.

 Authors :
Qimeng Li and Canzhu Gao : School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, 27 Shan Da Nan Lu, Jinan, Shandong 250100, People’s Republic of China
Zhongfa cheng : Shandong Taihe Water Treatment Co., Ltd., Xiwangzhuang town, Shizhong district, Zaozhuang, Shandong 277100, People’s Republic of China.