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Preparation of thermoresponsive hydrogels: Via polymerizable deep eutectic monomer solvents
Citation
Nahar, Y and Horne, J and Truong, V and Bissember, AC and Thickett, SC, Preparation of thermoresponsive hydrogels: Via polymerizable deep eutectic monomer solvents, Polymer Chemistry, 12, (2) pp. 254-264. ISSN 1759-9954 (2021) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
© The Royal Society of Chemistry
Abstract
We report the preparation of thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (polyNIPAM) hydrogels via the free radical polymerization of deep eutectic monomer solvents (DEMs) for the first time, where NIPAM serves as a polymerizable hydrogen bond donor. DEMs were prepared by a simple heating and stirring protocol using NIPAM and either choline chloride (ChCl) or acetylcholine chloride (AcChCl) (as hydrogen bond acceptor) in various ratios to yield low-melting point liquids (as low as 15 °C). 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy supported the association of the NIPAM and choline salts present within the DEM structure, in addition to the low self-diffusion coefficients of the species present compared to when dissolved in water. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated an enhanced thermal stability of the DEMs compared to NIPAM. Hydrogels prepared by free-radical polymerization of the prepared DEMs in the presence of N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) as crosslinker showed a significant increase in reaction rate compared to the equivalent reaction in water, which was attributed in part to the high viscosity of the DEMs. These gels exhibited thermoresponsive swelling behaviour when immersed in water. Specifically, gels prepared via DEMs featured reduced swelling capacity and increased mechanical strength relative to those prepared by aqueous polymerization, attributed to a significant increase in cross-linking density.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | deep eutectic solvents, hydrogels, thermoresponsive materials, cross-linking |
| Research Division: | Chemical Sciences |
| Research Group: | Macromolecular and materials chemistry |
| Research Field: | Physical properties of materials |
| Objective Division: | Expanding Knowledge |
| Objective Group: | Expanding knowledge |
| Objective Field: | Expanding knowledge in the chemical sciences |
| UTAS Author: | Nahar, Y (Mrs Yeasmin Nahar) |
| UTAS Author: | Horne, J (Dr James Horne) |
| UTAS Author: | Bissember, AC (Associate Professor Alex Bissember) |
| UTAS Author: | Thickett, SC (Associate Professor Stuart Thickett) |
| ID Code: | 143698 |
| Year Published: | 2021 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 10 |
| Deposited By: | Chemistry |
| Deposited On: | 2021-03-30 |
| Last Modified: | 2021-09-21 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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