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Reversible sol–gel transitions in aqueous solutions of N ‐isopropylacrylamide ionic copolymers
Author(s) -
Krzyminski Karol J,
Jasionowski Marek,
Gutowska Anna
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.2318
Subject(s) - aqueous solution , copolymer , poly(n isopropylacrylamide) , syneresis , ionic bonding , materials science , chemical engineering , rheometry , polymer chemistry , solvent , ionic strength , lower critical solution temperature , chemistry , polymer , organic chemistry , ion , composite material , engineering
Ionic copolymers of N ‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) exhibiting sol–gel transitions in aqueous solutions were investigated. The studies were aimed at understanding of the structure–property relationship in the design of injectable, in situ forming gels for potential biomedical applications in delivery of therapeutics and tissue engineering. Aqueous solutions of NIPA ionic copolymers were found to flow freely at ambient temperatures and formed soft gels with controlled syneresis above 32 °C, the lower critical solution temperature of NIPA. The sol–gel transitions and temperature‐dependent properties of the resulting gels were analyzed using dynamic rheometry and ultraviolet and infrared spectrometry, and were found to be controlled by the molecular weight and composition of copolymers, ionization state of comonomers and composition of aqueous solvent. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry