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Super‐macroporous composite cryogels based on biodegradable dextran and temperature‐responsive poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide)
Author(s) -
Georgiev Georgy L.,
Borisova Dayana,
Petrov Petar D.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.49301
Subject(s) - dextran , poly(n isopropylacrylamide) , materials science , aqueous solution , swelling , chemical engineering , composite number , scanning electron microscope , elastic modulus , lower critical solution temperature , composite material , polymer chemistry , copolymer , chemistry , polymer , chromatography , organic chemistry , engineering
This contribution describes the fabrication of super‐macroporous cryogels comprising an interpenetrating network of biodegradable dextran and temperature‐responsive poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) segments. Cryogels were prepared from nonmodified dextran and N ‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) via cryogenic treatment of their aqueous solutions and subsequent irradiation with Ultraviolet light. The weight ratio of the two precursors was varied in order to find out the proper conditions for producing cryogels of high gel fraction yield and favorable physico‐mechanical properties. Temperature‐responsive behavior and enhanced elastic modulus were established for cryogel materials containing ≥50 wt% PNIPAAm. Scanning electron microscopy study revealed an open‐porous structure of cryogels below and above the temperature of volume phase transition. Such morphology featured a very quick response of the material to temperature changes. The capability of dextran/PNIPAAm cryogels for instant release of water‐soluble substances was demonstrated as well.