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Effect of synthesis conditions on properties of poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide) gels
Author(s) -
Gehrke Stevin H.,
Palasis Maria,
Akhtar M. Kamal
Publication year - 1992
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.4990290107
Subject(s) - swelling , materials science , poly(n isopropylacrylamide) , monomer , polymer chemistry , chemical engineering , microstructure , polymerization , composite material , copolymer , polymer , engineering
Properties of poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide) gels—equilibrium degree of swelling, shear modulus, effective crosslink density and clarity—depend significantly upon the conditions of synthesis. While it is well known that monomer and crosslinker concentrations affect gel properties, other variables are shown here to have significant effects on the properties of the resulting gels. Initiator type and concentration, synthesis temperature, mold geometry and polymerization time all significantly affect the properties, including the swelling degree. Evidence suggests that the microstructure of these gels is particularly sensitive to these variables.