聚丙烯酸/氧化石墨烯复合水凝胶制备及对亚甲基蓝吸附

以丙烯酸(AA)为原料,二丙烯酸酯(Pul DA)分散的氧化石墨烯(GO)纳米胶粒(GO-Pul DA)为增强剂,N,N'-亚甲基双丙烯酰胺(BIS)为交联剂,通过自由基共聚合制备了一系列结构均一的聚丙烯酸/氧化石墨烯复合水凝胶(PAA/GO-Pul DA)。考察了BIS质量浓度、GO质量浓度以及溶液pH值对复合水凝胶力学性能、吸水性和亚甲基蓝(MB)吸附量的影响。结果表明,当GO质量浓度从0.1 g/L增加至1.0 g/L时,复合水凝胶拉伸强度从5.0 k Pa增加至10.4 k Pa,断裂伸长率高于100%,当GO的质量浓度为0.3 g/L时,复合水凝胶的断裂伸长率最高为151%;复合水凝胶表现出pH敏感的高吸湿性,pH从3.0增加至6.8时,平衡溶胀比(SRe)变化可达386 g/g,pH=6.8时最大SRe高达490 g/g。当溶液pH值从3.0增加至11.0时,PAA/GO-Pul D对MB的平衡吸附量(qe)可增加1 400~1 500 mg/g,pH=11.0时最大的qe高达1 789 mg/g。复合水凝胶对MB的吸附行为符合准一级动力学模型。5次吸附-解吸附循环后,相对于首次吸附,PAA/GO-Pul D对MB的吸附能力仍保持高达60%,解吸附效率高于90%。     

Removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions by poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid-co-itaconic acid) hydrogels

In this study, removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution by poly(AMPS-co-IA) hydrogels was examined by batch equilibration technique. The effects of monomer ratio, concentration of initiator and crosslinker, pH, adsorption time, initial dye concentration and adsorption temperature on the removal of MB were studied. The results show that the removal of MB was highly effected by preparation conditions of hydrogel. The maximum removal was observed at 10/90 IA/AMPS monomer ratio, 1.0% KPS, and 10.0% MBAAm concentrations. Removal of MB was strongly affected by pH. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models were applied. It was concluded that adsorption of MB on hydrogel followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. It was found that the adsorption isotherm of the MB fit Langmuir-type isotherms. From the Langmuir equation, the adsorption capacity was found as 1,000 mg/g for MB dye. Thermodynamic parameters suggest that the adsorption is a typical physical process, spontaneous, and exothermic in nature. Ten adsorption—desorption cycles demonstrated that the hydrogels were suitable for repeated use without considerable change in adsorption capacity. The results revealed that this hydrogels have potential to be used as an adsorbent for the removal of MB from aqueous solution.     

Removal of methylene blue dyes from wastewater using cellulose‐based superadsorbent hydrogels

Superadsorbent cellulose‐graft‐acrylic acid (C‐g‐AA) hydrogels were successfully prepared via free radical polymerization in phosphoric acid solution. Phosphoric acid solution provides a homogeneous reaction system. The C‐g‐AA hydrogels have a porous network inner structure with cellulose as the backbone. The introduced carboxyl groups enable the C‐g‐AA hydrogels with good swelling property (swelling ratio 7327%) and excellent MB adsorption capacity (equilibrium adsorption amount 2197 mg g^?1). The dynamic swelling behaviors of the hydrogels were tested, water intake of hydrogels followed a non‐Fickian type diffusion. The effects of mole ratio of AA to cellulose, the pH of adsorption medium and the initial MB concentration on dye adsorption capacity of hydrogels were investigated. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics fit the Langmuir model and the Pseudo‐second‐order model well, respectively. Desorption was carried out in weak acid solution and 70% MB could be removed, suggesting the C‐g‐AA hydrogels had the potential for reuse. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The usability of (sodium alginate/acrylamide) semi-interpenetrating polymer networks on removal of some textile dyes

In this study, (sodium alginate/acrylamide) interpenetrating polymer networks ((NaAlg/AAm)IPN) have been prepared at definite composition. The aqueous solution of 3% (w/v) sodium alginate and 50% (w/v) acrylamide was irradiated with ⁶⁰Co-γ rays at a dose rate of 0.07 kGy/h up to 5 kGy. The percent conversion was determined gravimetrically and 100% gelation was achieved at 5 kGy dose. To understand whether the semi-interpenetrating polymer network of sodium alginate is performed, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra of polyacrylamide (PAAm), sodium alginate, and the semi-interpenetrating polymer network were recorded. It is found that the FTIR spectra of PAAm, NaAlg, and the semi-interpenetrating polymer network are different. The thermograms of PAAm, sodium alginate, and the semi-interpenetrating polymer network were recorded for investigating their thermal character. (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels were immersed to swell in a solution of pH 7, at a temperature of 25°C. The swelling results at pH 7.0 indicated that (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogel, containing 3% NaAlg showed maximum % swelling in water but swelling increased in the order of water > Magenta > Methylene Blue > Safranine-O > Methyl Violet. Diffusion of water and aqueous solution of dyes within (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels was found to be of Fickian character at the initial stage of swelling with regard to values calculated for diffusion coefficient of (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels in water and aqueous solution of dyes. Some diffusion parameters were calculated from swelling of (NaAlg/AAm)IPN in water and dyes and their adsorption isotherms were plotted. In the adsorption experiments, the efficiency of (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels to adsorb Magenta, Safranine-O, Methylene Blue, and Methyl Violet dyes from water was studied. (NaAlg/AAm)IPN hydrogels showed different adsorption for different aqueous solution of dyes at pH 7.0. Adsorption isotherms were constructed for (NaAlg/AAm)IPN-dye systems. S type adsorption in the Giles classification system was found. Thermal and spectroscopic characterization of semi-interpenetrating polymer network of sodium alginate and acrylamide and dye adsorbed semi-interpenetrating polymer network of sodium alginate and acrylamide was recorded. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Enhanced adsorption of heavy metal ions onto simultaneous interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels synthesized by UV irradiation

Simultaneous interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels have been prepared by UV-initiated polymerization of a mixture of 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propansulfonic acid (AMPS) and triethylene glycol divinyl ether (DVE-3) with enhanced adsorption properties for heavy metal ion removal. The swelling ratio of the IPN hydrogels determined by gravimetric method increased with the AMPS content in the formulation. The IPN hydrogels were used to remove heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. The effects of pH value of the feed solution and AMPS content in the formulation on the adsorption capacity were investigated. The results indicated that the adsorption capacity increased with the pH values and AMPS content in the formulation. Furthermore, the synergistic complexation of metal ions with two polymer networks in the IPN was found in the adsorption studies. The adsorption isotherm of the IPN hydrogels can be well fitted to the Freundlich model. The adsorption kinetics on IPN hydrogels clearly followed an initial transport-controlled adsorption process, but transited to an attachment-controlled adsorption kinetics in the later stage. Thermodynamic parameters such as the Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°), and entropy (ΔS°) for the adsorption were estimated. Results suggested that the adsorption process was a spontaneous, exothermic process that had positive entropy.     

Removal of Mercury (II) from Aqueous Solution using Chitosan-graft-Polyacrylamide Semi-IPN Hydrogels

Chitosan-graft-polyacrylamide semi-interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) superabsorbent hydrogel was prepared via UV irradiation and N, N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide was used as crosslinker. The product was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hydrogels were observed to exhibit as much as 2580.2% swelling under optimum reaction conditions. The hydrogel is an efficient selective sorbent for the removal of mercuric ions (Hg(II)) from aqueous solutions. The mercury sorption capacity under non-buffered conditions is achieved around 9.98 mmol · g^?1 (or 2001.8 mg (mercury)/g (hydrogel)) via the colorimetric method. The kinetic data were fitted to the pseudo second order model. Furthermore, the influence of pH, hydrogel dose, and initial mercury concentration on adsorption capacity of the semi-IPN hydrogel was evaluated. Also, the isothermal adsorption equilibrium data was described using the Langmuir model. Finally, the mercury loaded hydrogel was regenerated without losing its original activity and stability.     

Enhanced adsorption properties of interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels for heavy metal ion removal

In this study, sequential interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels based on poly(polyethylene glycol diacrylate) poly(PEGDA) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) were prepared with enhanced adsorption properties for heavy metal ion removal. The swelling behavior and mechanical property of the IPN hydrogels were characterized. It was found that swelling ratio increased, and mechanical strength decreased with the PMAA content in the IPN. The IPN hydrogels were used to remove heavy metal ions from aqueous solution under the non-competitive condition. The effects of pH values of the feed solution at the range of 3–5 and PMAA content in the IPN on the adsorption capacity were investigated. The results indicated that the adsorption capacity of the IPN hydrogels increased with the pH values and PMAA content in the IPN. Furthermore, the synergistic complexation of metal ions with two polymer networks in the IPN was found in the adsorption studies. Regeneration studies suggested that metal rebinding capacity of the IPN hydrogels did not change significantly through repeated applications compared with the first run. It was concluded that the poly(PEGDA)/PMAA hydrogels could be used as fast-responsive, high capacity, and renewable sorbent materials in heavy metal removing processes.     

Swelling behavior of semi‐interpenetrating polymer network hydrogels composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(acrylamide‐co‐sodium methacrylate)

Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(acrylamide‐co‐sodium methacrylate) poly(AAm‐co‐SMA) were prepared by the semi IPN method. These IPN hydrogels were prepared by polymerizing aqueous solution of acrylamide and sodium methacrylate, using ammonium persulphate/N,N,N¹,N¹‐tetramethylethylenediamine (APS/TMEDA) initiating system and N,N¹‐methylene‐bisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker in the presence of a host polymer, poly(vinyl alcohol). The influence of reaction conditions, such as the concentration of PVA, sodium methacrylate, crosslinker, initiator, and reaction temperature, on the swelling behavior of these IPNs was investigated in detail. The results showed that the IPN hydrogels exhibited different swelling behavior as the reaction conditions varied. To verify the structural difference in the IPN hydrogels, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to identify the morphological changes in the IPN as the concentration of crosslinker varied. In addition to MBA, two other crosslinkers were also employed in the preparation of IPNs to illustrate the difference in their swelling phenomena. The swelling kinetics, equilibrium water content, and water transport mechanism of all the IPN hydrogels were investigated. IPN hydrogels being ionic in nature, the swelling behavior was significantly affected by environmental conditions, such as temperature, ionic strength, and pH of the swelling medium. Further, their swelling behavior was also examined in different physiological bio‐fluids. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 302–314, 2005     

Comparative study of PEO and PVA hydrogels for removal of methylene blue dye from wastewater

In this study, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) hydrogels were synthesized and evaluated as adsorbent for dye removal from wastewater using methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution as probe. PEO samples were photochemically prepared by varying irradiation time (1–16 h), while PVA samples were synthetized with different concentration of glutaraldehyde (GA) (0.03–0.48%). The obtained hydrogels were obtained through the analysis of a swelling test, scanning electron microscopy, and adsorption studies. PEO hydrogels adsorption capacity was dependent on the irradiation time, while the PVA hydrogel adsorption capacity reduces with GA concentration. Both hydrogels demonstrated a Langmuir isotherm adsorption model at the equilibrium and pseudo‐second order kinetic fits properly. pH studies showed that when pH reaches 12, the adsorbed MB amount is close to 8 and 2 times higher than pH = 2 both hydrogels. Photochemical preparation of hydrogels shows an easier way of tuning their properties in order to maximize dye removal. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45043.     

The Removal of Textile Dyes with Cross-Linked Chitosan-Poly(acrylamide) Adsorbent Hydrogels

This study examined the behaviors and mechanisms of chitosan (CS)-poly(acrylamide) (PAAM) full interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) hydrogels as an adsorbent to remove EY-4GL and S-Blue textile dyes from an aqueous solution. CS-PAAM IPN hydrogels were prepared by acrylamide monomer polymerization in the presence of a natural polymer, e.g., chitosan. N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAM) and glutaraldehyde (GLA) were selected to cross-link PAAM and CS chains and a full-IPN structure formed simultaneously. Kinetic swelling studies of CS-PAAM IPNs were carried out with deionized water and aqueous dye solutions. The experimental data clearly suggested that the swelling process obeys second-order kinetics. Network and diffusion parameters for CS-PAAM and PAAM hydrogels were calculated and it was observed that these IPN hydrogels have high cross-linking efficiencies in comparison to PAAM hydrogels. Adsorption of textile dyes onto hydrogels was studied by a batch adsorption technique at 23°C and 40°C, and it was seen that the higher temperature increased the dye adsorption onto the hydrogels. L type (Lan gmuir) adsorption isotherms, according to Giles classification system, were established at the end of adsorption experiments. The prepared IPN hydrogels show good ability to uptake textile dyes from wastewater.     

Ion-crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose/polyaniline bio-conducting interpenetrated polymer network: preparation,characterization and application for an efficient removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution

A simple, cheap, and environmentally friendly bio-conducting interpenetrated polymer blend network was prepared and introduced as a highly efficient system with suitable physical and mechanical properties for industrial removal of toxic Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution. Carboxymethyl cellulose/polyaniline (CMC/PANI) interpenetrated network (IPN) blend was prepared by simple simultaneous ion-cross-linking of CMC and PANI chains using Al³⁺ cations. The CMC/PANI bio-conducting nanocomposite was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy equipped with an "energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy" (SEM–EDX) technique. The CMC/PANI blend, ion-cross-linked by Al³⁺ cations, showed good stability and high surface area, proper for the removal of toxic Cr(VI) ions of the aqueous solution. Batch removal experiments were accomplished and the impression of effective variables including solution pH, initial concentration of Cr(VI) ions, contact time, and adsorbent dosage were checked and optimized. The outcome of our findings revealed that the removal of Cr(VI) ions by CMC/PANI nanocomposite IPN strongly depends on solution pH. The removal information was matched with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and the utmost monolayer adsorption capacity at pH 2 was 136.98 mg/g at 25 °C. The pseudo-second-order kinetics were operated and the thermodynamic parameters suggested spontaneous and exothermic nature of the adsorption process. Consequences indicated that CMC/PANI nanocomposite IPN could be an affective eco/environmentally friendly adsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions.

     

Radiation synthesis of graphene oxide/composite hydrogels and their ability for potential dye adsorption from wastewater

A high yield of graphene oxide (GO) was chemically synthesized from graphite powder utilizing adjusted Hummer's method. The contents of acidic functional groups in GO were determined using potentiometric titration. Composite hydrogels dependent on graphene oxide/poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid)/polyvinyl alcohol (GO/PAMPS/PVA) were synthesized utilizing a ⁶⁰Co gamma irradiation source at different doses. The synthesized graphene oxide and composite hydrogels were portrayed via X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared analysis. The morphology of composite hydrogels was characterized by scanning electron microscope. The gel % and swelling % for the prepared hydrogel demonstrated that the swelling % of hydrogel increased with raising AMPS content. Whereas the increment of GO and increasing the irradiation dose lead to a reduction in the swelling %. The influences of pH, GO percentage, initial dye concentration, the adsorbent dosage, contact time, and temperature on the adsorption of basic blue 3 dye were evaluated and the adsorption capacity was 194.6 mg/g at optimum conditions; pH = 6, GO/PAMPS/PVA composite hydrogels with 5 wt% of GO, initial dye concentration = 200 mg/L, adsorbent dose = 0.1 g, solution volume = 50 mL after 360 min at room temperature (25°C). The adsorption of dye onto the GO/PAMPS/PVA composite hydrogels follows Pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetics, fits the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model.     

Swelling characterization of the semiinterpenetrating polymer network hydrogels composed of chitosan and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)

Temperature‐ and pH‐responsive semiinterpenetrating polymer network (SIPN) hydrogels, constructed with chitosan (CS) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC), were studied. The characterizations of the IPN hydrogels were investigated by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and swelling tests, under various conditions. CS/PDADMAC SIPN hydrogels exhibited a relatively high swelling ratio, in the range of 248–462%, at 25°C. The swelling ratio of CS/PDADMAC IPN hydrogels are pH, temperature, and ionic concentration dependent. DSC was used for the quantitative determination of the amounts of freezing and nonfreezing water. The amount of free water increased with increasing PDADMAC content in the IPN hydrogels. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2876–2880, 2004     

CuO/腐植酸复合材料的制备及其吸附性能

采用水热法合成了CuO-腐植酸（HA）纳米复合材料,研究了其对亚甲基蓝的初始吸附性能及再生吸附性能。运用扫描电镜/能谱仪（SEM/EDS）、傅里叶变换红外光谱仪（FTIR）、X射线粉末衍射仪（XRD）、激光粒度分析仪和比表面积测定仪（BET）对其结构进行了表征。研究了pH、亚甲基蓝初始浓度和反应温度等因素对CuO/HA吸附亚甲基蓝的影响,采用多种模型研究了CuO/HA复合材料对亚甲基蓝的吸附动力学和热力学行为。结果表明：合成的CuO/HA平均粒径约为135.0nm,比表面积为188.15m²/g。CuO/HA对亚甲基蓝（MB）的吸附动力学行为符合拟一级动力学模型,在60min内达到吸附平衡,较好地符合Frendlich吸附模型。在室温下pH=7时,CuO/HA复合材料初始饱和吸附量达172.01mg/g;循环使用8次,可保持初始吸附能力的89.27%,表明有较好的吸附性能,可作为一种有效除去水体中亚甲基蓝污染物的高容量吸附材料。     

Synthesis and characterization of an interpenetrating polymer network composed of poly(methacrylic acid) and poly(vinyl alcohol)

Temperature and pH‐responsive interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels, constructed with poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), by a sequential IPN method, were studied. The characterization of IPN hydrogels was investigated by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and swelling under various conditions. The IPN hydrogels exhibited relatively high swelling ratios, in the range 230–380 %, at 25 °C. The swelling ratios of the PMAA/PVA IPN hydrogels were pH and temperature dependent. DSC was used for the quantitative determination of the amounts of freezing and non‐freezing water. The amount of free water increased with increasing PMAA content in the IPN hydrogels. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Indomethacin release behaviors from pH and thermoresponsive poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(acrylic acid) IPN hydrogels for site-specific drug delivery

A temperature- and pH-responsive drug delivery system was studied by using interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels constructed with poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The release of indomethacin incorporated into these hydrogels showed pulsatile patterns in response to both pH and temperature. Indomethacin diffused from the polymer matrices through the swelling and deswelling mechanism. The release amount increased at higher temperature because of the swelling caused by the dissociation of hydrogen bonding. The drastic change of drug release was achieved by alternating pH of the buffer solution and was attributed to the change of states of ionic groups within IPN hydrogels. The free water contents were calculated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and were proved to be the main factor in the swelling. These results demonstrated that the drug release could be controlled by the swelling/deswelling degree of IPN hydrogels as functions of pH and/or temperature. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polm Sci 65: 685–693     

Cellulose-graft-polyacrylamide/hydroxyapatite composite hydrogel with possible application in removal of Cu (II) ions

Cellulose-graft-polyacrylamide/hydroxyapatite composite hydrogels of different weight ratios were prepared through a suspension polymerization method. Physical and chemical characteristics of the composite were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The swelling behaviors of the composite hydrogels were investigated under varying conditions of time, temperature and pH. The optimized swelling capacity in standard conditions was found to be 5197% per gram of the hydrogel. The prepared hydrogel has the potential to be used for ion adsorption in water treatment. Such a possibility was examined through adsorption of copper (II) ions from an aqueous solution. The effects on adsorption of varying the time, pH, and initial concentration of copper (II) solution as well as some thermodynamic parameters were also investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 175 mg per gram of composite hydrogel in dried state. The mechanism of adsorption was well presented using a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Finally, the mercury-loaded hydrogel was regenerated without losing its original activity and stability.     

Removal of phosphate by using copper‐loaded poly(N‐vinylimidazole) hydrogels as polymeric ligand exchanger

Polymeric ligand exchangers (PLE) are generally composed of a crosslinked hosting resin that can firmly hold a transition metal ion which can act as terminal functional groups. In this study, poly(N‐vinylimidazole) (PVIm) hydrogels were synthesized by free radical polymerization/crosslinking of N‐vinylimidazole in aqueous solution. Swelling behavior of PVIm hydrogels was investigated and the gel with minimum amount of crosslinking agent, hence showing maximum swelling was selected as the optimum gel system for further studies. To prepare the corresponding PLE for the removal of phosphate, PVIm hydrogels were loaded with Cu(II) ions. Copper loading capacity of PLE was determined to be 5 mmol of Cu(II)/g of dry gel. For removal of phosphate, adsorption experiments were performed in batch mode at different pH (3–9) and phosphate concentrations. It was found that phosphate adsorption capacity did not change significantly within this pH range. The effect of initial concentration of phosphate on the adsorption behavior of PLE was determined for 10 different phosphate concentrations (0.1–1000 mg/L) at pH 7. NaCl solution was used for regeneration of phosphate adsorbed Cu(II) loaded PVIm hydrogels with 100% regeneration efficiency. The new PLE showed high affinity for phosphate; the highest uptake was found to be 218 mg/g dry PLE from 1000 mg/L phosphate solution. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Removal of cobalt ions from aqueous solutions by using poly(N,N‐dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide/itaconic acid) hydrogels

In this study, N,N‐dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide (DMAPMAm) homopolymer and DMAPMAm/itaconic acid (DMAPMAm/IA) copolymers were obtained from ⁶⁰Co‐γ radiation polymerization. Gel fraction and percentage of swelling values were calculated through gravimetrical calculations. In order to increase the swelling of the hydrogel, the amount of IA in initial copolymer composition was gradually increased, but it was observed that gelation values were low. The structural and morphological assessments of homopolymer and copolymers were made by means of several techniques including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy‐Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The cobalt ion (Co²⁺) removal capacities of hydrogel were investigated by taking into account of the initial metal ion concentration and pH of aqueous medium. When it came to the maximum capacity of values obtained from adsorption experiments by using Co²⁺ solutions at pH 5, they changed between 220 and 245 mg Co²⁺/g dry hydrogel. FT‐IR, SEM, EDS, and XRD analyses were carried out for enlightening the mechanism of Co²⁺ removal by hydrogels after the completion of adsorption. Also, desorption studies were conducted using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Finally, within approximately 5 days, all adsorbed Co²⁺ ions were released from hydrogels at pH 5 using 0.1M EDTA solution. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39569.     

pH‐ and temperature‐responsive IPN hydrogels based on soy protein and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐sodium acrylate)

pH‐ and temperature‐responsive interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels based on soy protein and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐sodium acrylate) were successfully prepared. The structure and properties of the hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analyzer. The equilibrium and dynamic swelling/deswelling behaviors and the drug release properties of the hydrogels responding to pH and/or temperature were also studied in detail. The hydrogels have the porous honeycomb structures, good miscibility and thermal stability, and good pH‐ and temperature‐responsivity. The volume phase transition temperature of the hydrogels is ca. 40°C. Changing the soy protein or crosslinker content could be used to control the swelling behavior and water retention, and the hydrogels have the fastest deswelling rate in pH 1.2 buffer solutions at 45°C. Bovine serum albumin release from the hydrogels has the good pH and temperature dependence. The results show that the proposed IPN hydrogels may have potential applications in the field of biomedical materials such as in drug delivery systems. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39781.