Synthesis and Characterization of Temperature-Sensitive Poly(N-isopropylacryamide-co-acrylamide)/Montmorillonite Nanocomposite Hydrogels

This paper reports a temperature-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacryamide-co-acrylamide)/montmorillonite (P(NIPAAm-co-Am)/MMT) nanocomposite hydrogel with enhanced mechanical properties and thermodynamic stability based on chitosan and nanoparticle MMT. With biodegradable N-maleyl chitosan crosslinker, the temperature-sensitive nanocomposite hydrogel was prepared by free radical polymerization in aqueous solution, using N-isopropylacryamide (NIPAAm), acrylamide (Am), and montmorillonite (MMT) as materials. The clay content varied from 0 to 7 wt% (based on the monomer). The temperature-sensitive behavior, mechanical property, thermodynamic stability, and enzymatic degradation of the nanocomposite hydrogels were investigated in detail.     

Solvent-, ion- and pH-specific swelling of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) superabsorbing gels

Homopolymer hydrogel of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and its nanocomposite counterpart were prepared to study their swelling properties. The hydrogels showed ability to absorb and retain electrolytes as well as binary mixtures of water and organic solvents (i.e., methanol, ethanol, acetone, ethylene glycol (EG), polyethylene glycol, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The nanocomposite gel exhibited lower swelling in all solvent compositions in comparison with non-composite gel. Unlike conventional acrylic acid-based hydrogels, the poly(AMPS) gels showed superabsorbing capacity in pure ethanol, methanol, EG, DMSO and NMP. Meanwhile, swelling capacity of poly(AMPS) hydrogel in DMSO-water mixtures was surprisingly found to be even higher than that in water. This extraordinary superswelling behavior was explained based on the interactions involved in solvation as well as the solubility parameters. The gels showed pH-independent superabsorbency in a wide range of pH (3–11). Saline-induced swelling transitions were also investigated and the ionic interactions were confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy.     

Effect of poly(ethylene glycol)-derived crosslinkers on the properties of thermosensitive hydrogels

Three crosslinkers, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), glycerol ethoxylate triacrylate (GETA) and citric acid-(PEG acrylate)₃ (CA-PEGTA) derived from poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were synthesized at first. The three series of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) hydrogels were prepared by photopolymerization with the crosslinkers and compared with a hydrogel based on commercial crosslinker, N,N′-methylene bis-acrylamide (NMBA). The influence of the crosslinker structures and contents on the swelling behaviour, mechanical properties, and drug release of the hydrogels was investigated. The results showed that the hydrogels based on PEGDA and NMBA exhibited the highest and the lowest swelling ratio, respectively. The content of crosslinker of all hydrogel series showed good thermosensitivity and thermo-reversibility. The critical gel transition temperature (CGTT) appeared at 32 °C for the hydrogel based on NMBA, but appeared at about 34 °C for other hydrogels due to higher hydrophilicity of the crosslinker. In the mechanical properties, three-arms crosslinker GETA and CA-PEGTA led to higher mechanical strength than a linear crosslinker PEGDA. A hydrogel based on GETA (NG6) showed the highest shear modulus of 656.9 kPa and Young’s modulus of 1655.0 kPa. The hydrogels containing higher content of crosslinker revealed lower swelling ratio and higher mechanical strength. In the drug release, the hydrogels with higher swelling ratios showed higher drug absorbed. The highest release percentage of caffeine and vitamin B12 for hydrogel based on PEGDA (NP6) could reach 68.3% and 75.4%, respectively. In addition, the bound water and toxicity of the hydrogels were also investigated.

     

Adjusting Some Properties of Poly(methacrylic acid) (Nano)Composite Hydrogels by Means of Silicon-Containing Inorganic Fillers

The present work aims to show how the main properties of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) hydrogels can be engineered by means of several silicon-based fillers (Laponite XLS/XLG, montmorillonite (Mt), pyrogenic silica (PS)) employed at 10 wt% concentration based on MAA. Various techniques (FT-IR, XRD, TGA, SEM, TEM, DLS, rheological measurements, UV-VIS) were used to comparatively study the effect of these fillers, in correlation with their characteristics, upon the structure and swelling, viscoelastic, and water decontamination properties of (nano)composite hydrogels. The experiments demonstrated that the nanocomposite hydrogel morphology was dictated by the way the filler particles dispersed in water. The equilibrium swelling degree (SDe) depended on both the pH of the environment and the filler nature. At pH 1.2, a slight crosslinking effect of the fillers was evidenced, increasing in the order Mt < Laponite < PS. At pH > pKa_MAA (pH 5.4; 7.4; 9.5), the Laponite/Mt-containing hydrogels displayed a higher SDe as compared to the neat one, while at pH 7.4/9.5 the PS-filled hydrogels surprisingly displayed the highest SDe. Rheological measurements on as-prepared hydrogels showed that the filler addition improved the mechanical properties. After equilibrium swelling at pH 5.4, G’ and G” depended on the filler, the Laponite-reinforced hydrogels proving to be the strongest. The (nano)composite hydrogels synthesized displayed filler-dependent absorption properties of two cationic dyes used as model water pollutants, Laponite XLS-reinforced hydrogel demonstrating both the highest absorption rate and absorption capacity. Besides wastewater purification, the (nano)composite hydrogels described here may also find applications in the pharmaceutical field as devices for the controlled release of drugs.     

Chitosan‐modified nanoclay–poly(AMPS) nanocomposite hydrogels with improved gel strength

BACKGROUND: Making (nano)composite structures is one of the efficient approaches for strengthening hydrogels extended in recent years. The present paper deals with the synthesis and properties of novel nanocomposite hydrogels based on 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane‐1‐sulfonic acid (AMPS). Initially, a bio‐modified clay, chitosan‐intercalated montmorillonite (chitoMMT), was prepared. Then, this was incorporated into the polymerization of AMPS in the presence of a macro‐crosslinker, i.e. poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate, to yield super‐swelling nanocomposite hydrogels. The swelling capacity as well as some structural, rheological and thermomechanical properties of the hydrogels were studied and compared with those of the clay‐free counterpart. RESULTS: ChitoMMT exhibited no toxicity, which was confirmed using cell‐culture testing. A chitoMMT content of ca 6% was found to be the most favourable content of the bio‐modified clay for achieving a product with improved properties (i.e. the highest gel content, the highest gel strength and optimal thermal stability). Based on a dynamic mechanical thermal analysis study, an increased glass transition temperature (98.2 °C) and improved rubbery modulus (up to 238% higher than that of the clay‐free counterpart) were recorded. Thermogravimetric analysis verified that the thermal stability of nanocomposite samples was higher than that of clay‐free samples. CONCLUSION: Owing to the non‐toxicity of the incorporated chitoMMT, the strengthened hydrogels may be considered as potential candidates for bio‐applications. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

A promising porous polymer-nanoclay hydrogel nanocomposite as water reservoir material: synthesis and kinetic study

A porous hydrogel nanocopmposite based on biodegradable salep and montmorillonite (MMT) was synthesized by in-situ free radical graft polymerization of salep chains with acrylic acid (AA) monomers. The chemical structure and morphological properties of the prepared hydrogels was evaluated by FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and SEM techniques. The effect of reaction variables such as crosslinker, initiator, monomer and clay contents on equilibrium water absorption capacity and swelling kinetic of hydrogel were investigated and optimized. Swelling behavior of the hydrogels in various pH and saline solutions was also studied. Incorporation of MMT into hydrogel matrix caused the formation of porous hydrogel network. These porous structures resulted in higher water uptake capacity and swelling rate in hydrogel nanocomposite in comparison to neat hydrogel sample. Moreover, hydrogel nanocomposite sample exhibited proper salt and pH-sensitive behavior. High swelling capacity and rate, porosity, salt and pH sensitivity make hydrogel nanocomposite a profitable candidate in agricultural and horticultural applications, such as water reservoir system.     

Antipolyelectrolyte superabsorbing nanocomposites: Synthesis and properties

Novel polyampholytic superabsorbing nanocomposites based on the zwitterionic sulfobetaine monomer [3‐(methacrylamido)propyl)]dimethyl(3‐sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide were synthesized through in situ polymerization in aqueous solution with different contents of an organo‐modified clay (OMMT, Cloisite 30B). Structural and thermomechanical properties of hydrogels were characterized by FT‐IR, XRD, and DMTA, respectively. Swollen gel strength of hydrogels was determined by a rheological method. Storage modulus of the hydrogels was considerably improved in comparison with its the clay‐free counterpart. The nanocomposite hydrogel containing 15% OMMT possessed the highest gel strength. The glass transition temperature was increased from 58.4 to 67.0°C for the clay‐free and nanocomposite hydrogel containing 8% OMMT, respectively. The swelling behavior of the hydrogel in various salt solutions was investigated. Antipolyelectrolyte behavior was observed with enhancement of concentration of mono‐ and multivalent salts. Swelling in the various pH media was nearly pH‐independent over a wide range of pH. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Influence of Laponite RD on the properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels were prepared in the presence/absence of Laponite RD (LRD) by using glutaraldehyde (GL) as chemical crosslinker. The effect of GL concentration (CHO/OH ratio between 0.02 and 0.38) and of clay addition on the PVA hydrogel properties was investigated. The swollen hydrogels showed good transparency and flexibility. LRD incorporation into the PVA hydrogel, revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, led to a significant increase of the roughness of the dried hydrogel surface (about two times), as established by atomic force microscopy. The swelling ability was affected in a small extent by the clay addition. The elastic modulus decreased from 4680 to 3340 Pa and from 2195 to 1603 Pa by addition of 0.5% LRD into PVA hydrogels obtained with CHO/OH ratio of 0.02 and 0.06, respectively. The LRD addition reduced the gelation time determined by in situ rheological monitoring of PVA crosslinking reaction. The experimental investigations showed that there is an optimum CHO/OH ratio of 0.02 for which the PVA/LRD hybrid hydrogel presents the properties required by a targeted application, as for example support material for wound dressings. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46661.     

Removal of acidic dye from aqueous solutions using poly(DMAEMA–AMPS–HEMA) terpolymer/MMT nanocomposite hydrogels

In this study, poly(DMAEMA–AMPS–HEMA) terpolymer/montmorillonite nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared by in situ polymerization technique using 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), 2-acrylamido-2-methlypropane sulfonic acid (AMPS), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomers in clay suspension media. N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (NMBA) was used as crosslinker and potassium persulfate/potassium bisulfide were used as initiator and accelerator pair. The water absorption capacities and acidic dye (indigo carmine) adsorption properties of the nanocomposite hydrogels were investigated. Adsorption properties of the hydrogels were investigated at different conditions such as different initial dye concentration and contact time. The concentrations of the dyes were determined using UV/Vis Spectrophotometer at wavelength 610 nm. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to describe adsorption data and the results clarified that these models were the best-fit for the adsorption of indigo carmine.     

Equilibrium swelling behavior and elastic properties of polymer–clay nanocomposite hydrogels

Nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared by free‐radical polymerization of the monomers acrylamide (AAm), N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMA), and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) in aqueous clay dispersions at 21°C. Laponite XLS was used as clay nanoparticles in the hydrogel preparation. The hydrogels based on DMA or NIPA monomers exhibit much larger moduli of elasticity compared with the hydrogels based on AAm monomer. Calculations using the theory of rubber elasticity reveal that, in DMA‐clay or NIPA‐clay nanocomposites, both the effective crosslink density of the hydrogels and the functionality of the clay particles rapidly increase with increasing amount of Laponite up to 10% (w/v). The results suggest that DMA‐clay and NIPA‐clay attractive interactions are stronger than AAm‐clay interactions due to the formation of multiple layers on the nanoparticles through hydrophobic associations. It was also shown that, although the nanocomposite hydrogels do not dissolve in good solvents such as water, they dissolve in dilute aqueous solutions of acetone or poly(ethylene oxide) of molecular weight 10,000 g/mol, demonstrating the physical nature of the crosslink points. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Chitosan modified MMT‐poly(AMPS) nanocomposite hydrogel: Heating effect on swelling and rheological behavior

Vulnerability of hydrogels against thermal circumstances may be substantially eliminated via incorporating nanoclay to prepare nanocomposite hydrogels. In this research, chitosan‐intercalated montmorillonite (ChitoMMT) was used as a bionanoclay to yield novel nanocomposite hydrogels based on 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid. The bionanoclay is suitable especially for preparing biomaterials used in biomedical, food, and pharmaceutical applications, unlike conventional commercial nanoclays (alkyl ammonium‐intercalated MMT) which are not appropriate for bio‐applications due to toxicity of the intercalant particularly where the clay content is high. Two different crosslinkers (i.e., methylene bisacrylamide, and polyethyleneglycol dimethacrylate) were employed to synthesize the nanocomposites. The variations in swelling, rheological and thermal properties of the hydrogels were essentially attributed to thermally induced crosslink cleavage/formation depending upon the crosslinker nature. The nanocomposites comprised superior thermal properties in comparison with the clay‐free hydrogel counterpart. They can preserve substantially their swelling ability for longer heating periods. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Novel Thermoresponsive Biodegradable Nanocomposite Hydrogels for Dual Function in Biomedical Applications

Nanocomposite hydrogels were prepared through a blend solution of poly(lactic acid) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-co-acrylamide via free radical polymerization. Plant extractions were used for the synthesis of Ag nanoparticles to study the antibacterial activity of the hydrogels. Similarly, 5-Fluorouracil drug was loaded through both in situ and ex situ methods to study thecontrolled release profiles. The nanocomposite hydrogels were characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Thermo gravimetric analysis - Differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscope. The dissolution and the agar diffusion test were performed to evaluate the drug release and antibacterial activity, respectively. The results suggested that the fabricated nanocomposite hydrogels can be used as a promising candidate for dual functions in biomedical applications.     

Preparation and characterization of novel polymer hydrogel from industrial waste and copolymerization of poly(vinyl alcohol) and polyacrylamide

A novel hydrogel was prepared from industrial waste to form a green polymer with a higher swelling capacity. This hydrogel was synthesized by two methods for chemical crosslinking, namely crosslinking by radical polymerization and crosslinking by addition reaction. In crosslinking by radical polymerization, graft copolymerization of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and polyacrylamide (PAAm) was carried out using ceric ammonium sulfate in presence of N,N',‐methylenebisacrylamide, and then mixed with the black liquor resulting from alkaline pulping of rice straw. While, in crosslinking by addition reaction, the same above reagents were mixed with the black liquor in absence of the initiator. The black liquor is an industrial waste resulting from the pulping method and consists of dissolved lignin and carbohydrates. The black liquor causes environmental water pollution due to its dumping into the sea. The formed hydrogels were characterized using FT‐IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was noted that the hydrogel prepared by radical polymerization showed high swelling capacity, 60.00%, compared to that prepared by the addition reaction, 27.27%. The hydrogels formed were used also to study the influence of sodium chloride on the absorption capacity at room temperature and swelling ratios at different temperatures and pHs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Physicochemical evaluation of nanocomposite hydrogels with covalently incorporated poly(vinyl alcohol) functionalized graphene oxide

To avoid the negative effect of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets aggregation in aqueous solutions on physicochemical properties of GO incorporated nanocomposite hydrogels, poly(vinyl alcohol)-functionalized GO (GO-es-PVA) are synthesized and are used for preparation of nanocomposite hydrogels. By graft copolymerization of GO-es-PVA with poly(AA-co-AAm) chains, the nanocomposite hydrogel samples with covalently incorporated GO-es-PVA are achieved. FTIR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, and SEM and EDAX techniques confirm successful synthesis process. It is clear that GO-es-PVA content has significant effect on physicochemical properties of nanocomposite hydrogels, such as improvement of the water uptake properties, porosity, and gel strength. The hydrogel sample with 1:80 mass ratio of GO-es-PVA/AAm has the best physicochemical properties due to the optimum amount of GO-es-PVA, which gives the hydrogel proper viscoelasticity as well as fine porosity and water uptake rate. Interpenetration of PVA chains into the polymeric networks makes the movement of the polymer chains easier, which leads to softer polymeric networks. This phenomenon is called plasticizing effect. The plasticizing nature of PVA and its high hydrophilicity are the main reasons for the fine physicochemical properties. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48025.     

Gum Acacia‐cl‐poly(acrylamide)@carbon nitride Nanocomposite Hydrogel for Adsorption of Ciprofloxacin and its Sustained Release in Artificial Ocular Solution

In the present work, a nanocomposite hydrogel is designed consisting of gum acacia, poly(acrylamide) and carbon nitride by facile microwave approach. This nanocomposite hydrogel is sensitive to environmental stimuli which is essential for its application in environmental remediation and as a drug delivery system. The effects of carbon nitride percentage and microwave Watt variation on swelling capacity of gum acacia‐cl‐poly(acrylamide)@carbon nitride (Ga‐cl‐PAM@C₃N₄) nanocomposite hydrogel are analyzed. The structural characterizations are considered by numerous techniques such as FTIR (Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopy), X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental mapping. Batch experiment is performed for remediation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) drug from water. Various parameters such as effect of ciprofloxacin doses, Ga‐cl‐PAM@C₃N₄ nanocomposite hydrogel dosage, pH, time and temperature for adsorption of CIP on gum acacia‐cl‐poly(acrylamide)@carbon nitride nanocomposite hydrogel is examined. Maximum adsorption capacity of Ga‐cl‐PAM@C₃N₄ nanocomposite hydrogel observed is 169.49 mg g^?1 at pH 6.4. The drug loading and drug release capacity of Ga‐cl‐PAM@C₃N₄ nanocomposite hydrogel is investigated for ciprofloxacin. Drug release is monitored in artificial ocular solution (pH 8), saline (pH 5.5), acetate buffer (pH 2.2), and distilled water. Maximum drug release is observed in artificial ocular solution.     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan/honey/clay responsive nanocomposite hydrogel wound dressing

Many efforts have been made to develop modern wound dressings to overcome limitations of traditional ones. Smart nanocomposite hydrogels are appropriate candidates. In this work, a novel responsive nanocomposite hydrogel based on poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan/honey/clay was developed and evaluated as a novel wound dressing. The morphology and properties of synthesized nanocomposite hydrogels loaded with honey as a drug model were investigated. The exfoliated morphology of nanocomposite was confirmed by X‐ray diffractometry. Swelling studies were performed at 20 and 37 °C at various pH. The results showed that swelling increased as a result of temperature rise and maximum swelling occurred at a pH of 2. In vitro release of honey was also studied at the same conditions. Corresponding results indicated faster honey release rate at higher pH values. MTT results exhibited no cytotoxicity in nanocomposite hydrogel system. Investigation of antibacterial activity revealed more than 99% antibacterial activity for proposed system. In vivo results confirmed the wound healing ability of developed system. Generally, appropriate properties of proposed system made it ideal in wound dressing applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46311.     

Metal ion binding properties of poly(N-vinylimidazole) hydrogels

The ability of poly(N-vinylimidazole) hydrogels to bind Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Hg(II), Na(I) and Ca(II) cations, as well as uranyl, vanadium, rhenium, and molybdenum complexes, was studied by a batch equilibrium procedure using atomic absorption spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The optimum pH for ion adsorption was determined in any case. The influence of the crosslinking degree of the hydrogel on the sorption kinetics and the sorption capacity at equilibrium were also studied. Sorption from the binary mixture Cu(II) + U(VI) was also analyzed at the optimum pH. Elution of the ions adsorbed from single and binary solutions was achieved in all cases. A selective desorption of loaded hydrogels with two types of ions was attained. The general conclusion is that poly(N-vinylimidazole) hydrogels are excellent materials for retention of all the ions studied here [except for Pb(II), Na(I), and Ca(II)]. The elution, which can be selective, allows regeneration of the hydrogel. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67:1109–1118, 1998     

Mechanical properties and drug release rate of poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(ethylene glycol)/clay nanocomposite hydrogels: Correlation with structure and physical properties

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels containing curcumin as a drug and the various amounts of a montmorillonite nanoclay are prepared using the freezing–thawing method. Nanoclay quantity influence on the physicomechanical properties and the drug release rate of the hydrogel as well as relationship between them is investigated. X-Ray diffraction and Atomic force microscopy analysis reveal the nanoclays have an intercalation structure in the hydrogel, and the hydrogel crystallization decreases with increasing the nanoclay inclusion. From the SEM micrographs observation, it was revealed that due to the presence of the nanoclay in the hydrogel, its porosity decreased. The naonoclay has an amount-depended dual effect on the hydrogel swelling. The swelling mechanism is a normal Fickian diffusion for all the hydrogel samples. Strong physical interactions between the nanoclays and the polymer chains in the nanocomposite hydrogels are evidenced by the rheological studies. These interactions lead to significant reinforcement of the hydrogel tensile strength, intensified by the nanoclay amount. Interestingly, the nanoclays show the capability of accelerating and, also, decelerating the drug release of the hydrogel. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47843.     

Poly(acrylamide/laponite) nanocomposite hydrogels: Swelling and cationic dye adsorption properties

Super adsorbent polyacrylamide (PAAm)/nanoclay (laponite, Lap) hydrogels were prepared by in situ free radical polymerization of AAm in an aqueous solution with clay as a crosslinker. The swelling properties and water‐soluble cationic dye adsorption behaviors of the PAAm/laponite (PAAm/Lap) nanocomposite (NC) hydrogels were investigated. The parameters of swelling and diffusion of water in dye solutions were evaluated for the PAAm/Lap NC hydrogels. The adsorption behavior of the monovalent cationic dyes such as Basic Blue 12 (BB 12), Basic Blue 9 (BB 9), and Basic Violet 1 (BV 1), were studied on the NC hydrogels. The effects of the clay content of the hydrogel on its cationic dye uptake behavior were studied. The adsorption studies indicated that the rates of dye uptake by the NC hydrogels increased in the following order: BB 9 > BB 12 > BV 1. This order is similar to the swelling results of the PAAm/Lap NC hydrogel in the dye solutions. The equilibrium uptakes of the different dyes by the PAAm/Lap NC hydrogel were nearly the same. In the dye absorption studies, S‐type adsorption in the Giles classification system was found for the BB 12 and BV 1 dyes, whereas L ‐type was observed for the BB 9 dye. After the heat treatment of PAAm/Lap, the rate of dye uptake and equilibrium dye uptake were increased. The NC hydrogels may be considered as a good candidate for environmental applications to retain more water and to remove dyes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

温度及pH敏感共聚/粘土纳米复合水凝胶的合成与性能研究

以无机粘土为交联剂制备了具有温度、pH双重敏感性的聚（N-异丙基丙烯酰胺-co-甲基丙烯酸-β-羟乙酯）/粘土纳米复合水凝胶（P（NIPA-co-HEMA）/clay）,并用红外和X衍射对其结构和形态进行了表征。在弱碱性（pH=7.4）和25℃条件下,分别研究了温度和不同pH缓冲溶液对该凝胶溶胀度的影响,测定了纳米复合水凝胶的力学性能。结果表明：水凝胶的粘土已被剥离成单片层,且均匀分散在凝胶网络中,起交联作用;P（NIPA-co-HEMA）/clay具有良好的温度、pH双重敏感特性;凝胶的断裂伸长率〉1000%。