Synthesis and characterization of pH‐ and temperature‐sensitive silk sericin/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) interpenetrating polymer networks

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) composed of silk sericin (SS) and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) were prepared simultaneously. The properties of the resultant IPN hydrogels were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and SEM as well as their swelling behavior at various temperatures and pH values. The single glass transition temperature (T_g) presented in the IPN thermograms indicated that SS and PNIPAAm form a miscible pair. The swollen morphology of the IPNs observed by SEM demonstrated that water channels (pores present in SEM micrographs) were distributed homogeneously through out the network membranes. The swelling ratio of the IPNs depended significantly on the composition, temperature and pH of the buffer solutions. The dynamic transport of water into the IPN membrane was analyzed based on the Fickian equation. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry