High‐temperature‐resistant polymer gel system with metal–organic mixed cross‐linking agents

A high‐temperature (200°C)‐resistant polymer gel system was developed from partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM), chromium lactate (CrL), and water‐soluble phenol/formaldehyde resin (WPF) mixed cross‐linkers. Rheological measurements indicated that the gelation process of the gel system could be divided into four successive steps: induction, first cross‐linking with metal cross‐linker, secondary cross‐linking with organic cross‐linker, and stabilization. Effects of various parameters that affect the gelation time and gel strength including polymer concentration, cross‐linker concentration, salinity, pH, and the gelation temperature were evaluated. Gelant formulated with 0.5 wt % HPAM, 0.1 wt % CrL, and 0.9 wt % WPF and treated at 80°C for 48 h showed sufficient gelation time, high rigidity, and good thermal stability. Morphology observation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that the gel had compact network microstructure. A cross‐linking mechanism for the gel system was proposed based on the gelation process and experimental results. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42261.     

A study on environment‐friendly polymer gel for water shut‐off treatments in low‐temperature reservoirs

In this study, the zirconium acetate crosslinked gel systems are studied owing to their environment‐friendly and gelation performance in low‐temperature reservoirs through rheological measurements, environmental scanning electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of various parameters on the gelation properties, stability, and microstructure in bottle test and porous media were addressed. With the increase of concentrations and temperature, gelation time is reduced and gel strength is increased. In addition, the gel systems show salt tolerance and shearing resistance. The environment‐friendly gel systems have a high stability in both injection water and formation water. A three‐dimensional network structure was formed in the gel and confirmed by environmental scanning electron microscopy. The three‐dimensional gel network was also formed in porous media, which bridges across the pore throats and reduced the water permeability in the formation. This study suggests that environment‐friendly polymer gels can be used for water shut‐off treatments in low‐temperature reservoirs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40154.     

Gelation performance of poly(ethylene imine) crosslinking polymer–layered silicate nanocomposite gel system for potential water‐shutoff use in high‐temperature reservoirs

Polymer gels have been widely used for water shutoff in mature oil fields. In this paper, polyacrylamide (PAM)–montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites (NC) were prepared through in situ intercalative polymerization. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction were conducted to characterize the prepared PAM/MMT nanocomposites. The gelation performance of poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) crosslinking PAM/MMT nanocomposite gel system (NC/PEI gel system) was systematically investigated by bottle testing and viscosity measurement methods. The results showed that the gelation performance of the NC/PEI gel system was greatly affected by the total dissolved solids, PAM/MMT nanocomposite concentration, and PEI concentration. The NC/PEI gel system exhibited much better thermal stability and gelation performance than the PAM/PEI gel system at the same conditions. The gelation performance after flowing through porous media of the NC/PEI gel system before injection and that of the subsequently injected gel system was different. The gel strength decreased and the gelation time was delayed after the gel system before injection was flowed through porous media. However, the gel strength of the subsequently injected gel system did not decrease, and only the gelation time was delayed after flowing through porous media. This study suggests that the NC/PEI gel system can be used as a potential water‐shutoff agent in high‐temperature reservoirs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44243.     

Experimental research of hydroquinone (HQ)/hexamethylene tetramine (HMTA) gel for water plugging treatments in high‐temperature and high‐salinity reservoirs

Polymer gel, as a water plugging treatment agent, has been successfully used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) of mature oil fields. A new thermal‐resistance and salt‐tolerance polymer gel was developed based on HPAM and HQ/HMTA under the condition of high‐temperature (100.8 °C) and high‐salinity (up to 19.8 × 10⁴ mg/L and Ca²⁺&Mg²⁺ 0.8 × 10⁴ mg/L). The influence factors of gelling performance and coreflood performances were studied, the microstructure of the gel was observed with the environmental scanning electron microscopy, and gelation mechanism was proposed to illuminate the detailed gelation process. The gelation time decreases and the gel strength increases with the increase of polymer concentration, crosslinker concentration, or temperature. Although shearing had a negative effect on the viscosity of gelling solution, the gel strength, and the stability of gel have not been affected. The gelling solution has a good ability of injection and could selectively flow into high permeable zone. Additionally, the plugging rate increases and stays above 85% with the increase of the permeability or the gel strength. The microstructure of the gel confirms that the gel formed a three‐dimensional network structure. Based on the microstructure and the reaction process of the gel, a possible gelation mechanism is proposed. This study suggests that the gel system can be used in harsh reservoir conditions and the gelation time and gel strength can be controlled with adjusting the formation rate and the concentration of crosslinking agents. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44359.     

Passive microrheology for measurement of gelation behavior of a kind of polymer gel P(AM‐AA‐AMPS)

One kind of polymer gel P(AM‐AA‐AMPS) was prepared by radical aqueous copolymerization, using acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA) and 1‐acrylanmido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) as monomers, N,N‐methacrylamide (MBA) as crosslinker and ammonium persulfate (APS) as initiator. The microstructure and molecular structure of the polymer gel were characterized by environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), infrared spectrometer (IR) and thermal gravity analysis (TGA). Main factors affecting the gelation behavior of P(AM‐AA‐AMPS) were qualitatively and quantitatively studied by multi‐speckle diffusion wave spectroscopy (MS‐DWS) technology, and the elasticity index (EI) and macroscopic viscosity index (MVI) were introduced to evaluate the elasticity and viscosity of the polymer gel. The results show that the synthesized P(AM‐AA‐AMPS) polymer gel has three‐dimensional network structure gel with thermally resistant and salts tolerant groups. The EI and MVI of solution increase abruptly during the gelation time and the two indexes tend to stabilize. Under certain conditions, with the increase of reaction temperature and concentration of monomers and initiator, the gelation time of polymer gel gets shorter and the gel strength increases; with the increase of concentration of crosslinker, the strength of polymer gels increases, while the gelation time remains almost unchanged. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43364.     

Rheological study on the thermoinduced gelation behavior of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid) microgel suspensions

Submicron‐sized thermoresponsive poly(N ‐isopropylacrylamide‐co ‐acrylic acid) microgels were synthesized by soap‐free emulsion polymerization. The physical state of the microgel suspensions, in a wide range of polymer concentrations (1.1–7.1 wt %), transformed from fluid to gel when the temperature was elevated across their volume phase transition temperature at pH = 3.0. Such thermoinduced gelation behavior was studied in detail by small‐deformation oscillatory rheological measurements within the linear viscoelastic region. It was found that the gelation temperature was strongly affected by the polymer concentration, decreasing as the polymer concentration increased. The gelation kinetics showed that the suspension gelled more quickly at either larger polymer concentration or higher isothermal heating temperature. In an isothermal frequency sweep for the as‐formed gels, both storage and loss moduli, G′ and G″ , exhibited a power‐law behavior, that is, G′ (ω) ～ ω^0.2–0.4 and G″ (ω) ～ ω^0.46?0.50 within the frequency range where G′ dominates G″ . In addition, the elasticity of the gels, which results from the attractive particle bonds, increased markedly with increasing polymer concentration. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 45259.     

Study on strength and gelation time of polyacrylamide/polyethyleneimine composite gels reinforced with coal fly ash for water shut‐off treatment

This study investigates the influence of coal fly ash (CFA) as a reinforcing material on the strength and the gelation of polyacrylamide (PAM)/polyethyleneimine (PEI) composite gels. Pure PAM/PEI gel and PAM/PEI gels containing CFA up to 2 wt % were synthesized via the cross‐linking reaction between PAM and PEI solutions at room temperature (25°C) in distilled water dispersed with CFA. The strength of each composite gel was measured at temperature of 80°C, while the gelation was determined from 80°C to 95°C. Rheological measurements indicated that the strength of PAM/PEI composite gels filled with CFA contents was significantly rigid and stronger than that of pure PAM/PEI gel as a result of the enhanced interfacial interaction of well‐dispersed CFA contents in PAM/PEI gel matrix. The gelation times of PAM/PEI gels containing CFA up to 2 wt % deviated from the gelation time of pure PAM/PEI gel. It was further observed that an increase in temperature resulted in a decrease in gelation time of PAM/PEI gel containing 2 wt % CFA. The scanning electron microscopy revealed the surface micrographs of PAM/PEI gels filled with CFA to be very dense without any noticeable micropores. The micropores were absent as scanning was performed on the dried composite gels. It also establishes the strong interaction between CFA and PAM/PEI gel matrix. Experimental findings showed that PAM/PEI composite gels reinforced with CFA are potential candidates for total water shut‐off treatment in oilfields. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41392.     

Influence of surfactant properties on thermal behavior and sol–gel transitions in surfactant‐HPMC mixtures

Four surfactants, namely, sodium n‐decyl sulfate (SDeS), sodium n‐hexadecyl sulfate (SHS), sodium n‐dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and Triton X‐100, were used as additives to study thermal behavior and sol–gel transformations in dilute aqueous hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC)/surfactant mixtures using micro‐differential scanning calorimetry. The influence of anionic surfactant, SDS on the gelation varied with SDS concentration where the sol–gel transition started at a higher temperature. Shape of the thermograms changed from single mode to dual mode at the SDS concentration of 6 mM and higher. SDeS and SHS, however, resulted in “salt‐in” effect of a different magnitude during gelation. Triton X‐100, being a non‐ionic surfactant, showed a minor “salt‐out” effect on the thermo‐gelation process. On the basis of different thermal behavior of anionic and non‐ionic surfactant/HPMC systems, a mechanism is proposed explaining how the chemical structure and electro‐charge of the surfactants affect the polymer/surfactant binding and polymer/polymer aggregation because of hydrophobic interaction during the sol–gel transition. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2009     

Pluronic‐based dual‐stimuli sensitive polymers capable of thermal gelation and pH‐dependent degradation for in situ biomedical application

Thermo‐sensitive hydrogels are considered ideal for applications in the biomedical fields for their biocompatibility, flexibility, tissue‐like water content, and reversible gelation property. By adjusting sufficient hydrophilic–hydrophobic balance in block copolymer structure, thermogel's critical gelation temperature (CGT) can be modified to be near the physiological temperature, which makes it an appealing candidate for in situ gel depot. In this study, we report successful syntheses of novel multiple block copolymer compounds, denoted as dual‐stimuli sensitive polymers (DSSPs), by copolymerizing Pluronic P104 (7100 Da) and 2,2‐bis(aminoethoxy)propane (BAP) using diisocyanate linkers, l ‐lysine ethyl ester diisocyanate (DSSP‐1), and 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate (DSSP‐2). Through effective elongation of polymer chain lengths (DSSP‐1: 41,760 Da, DSSP‐2: 41,230 Da), Pluronic P104's reversible thermal gelation properties were enhanced, as demonstrated by lowered CGTs (DSSP‐1: 36 °C, DSSP‐2: 38.7 °C; 15 wt %) that is near the physiological temperature. Furthermore, integration of acid‐labile BAP allowed rapid pH‐dependent degradation of the polymer, which was displayed by gel permeation chromatography and release profiles of nile red and irinotecan from polymeric micelles and gels, respectively. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46552.     

Preparation and Characterization of JP‐10 Gel Propellants with Tris‐Urea Low‐Molecular Mass Gelators

The preparation and characterization of high‐energy density hydrocarbon fuel JP‐10 supramolecular gel propellants are reported. The low‐molecular mass gelator 1,1′,1′′‐((2,4,6‐trioxo‐1,3,5‐triazinane‐1,3,5‐triyl)tris(hexane‐6,1‐diyl))tris(3‐octadecylurea) (HDIT‐18) shows powerful gelation ability for JP‐10, the critical gelator concentration for JP‐10 is as low as 0.0638 wt‐%. The JP‐10 supramolecular gel propellants exhibit high thermal stability. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies reveal that the gelator molecules self‐assemble into 1–3 μm fibers in JP‐10. Rheological studies show the JP‐10 supramolecular gels are thixotropic and shear‐thinning (for a shear rate range from 0.3 to 30 s⁻¹), the dynamic strain sweep test shows that the critical strain percentage of the gel materials is 1 %. The studies reported herein provide a potential fuel material for gel propellants.     

Relationship between viscoelastic properties and gelation in the epoxy/phenol‐novolac blend system with N‐benzylpyrazinium salt as a latent thermal catalyst

A study of viscoelastic properties and gelation in epoxy/phenol‐novolac blend system initiated with 1 wt % of N‐benzylpyrazinium hexafluoroantimonate (BPH) as a latent cationic thermal initiator was performed by analysis of rheological properties using a rheometer. Latent behavior was investigated by measuring the conversion as a function of curing temperature using traditional curing agents, such as ethylene diamine (EDA) and nadic methyl anhydride (NMA) in comparison to BPH. In the relationship between viscoelastic properties and gelation of epoxy/phenol‐novolac blend system, the time of modulus crossover was dependent on high frequency and cure temperature. The activation energy (E_c) for crosslinking from rheometric analysis increased within the composition range of 20–40 wt % phenol‐novolac resin. The 40 wt % phenol‐novolac (N40) to epoxy resin showed the highest value in the blend system, due to the three‐dimensional crosslinking that can take place between hydroxyl groups within the phenol resin or epoxides within the epoxy resin involving polyaddition of the initiator with BPH. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 2299–2308, 2001     

Rheological characterization of the gel point in polymer‐modified asphalts

In this work, the rheological characterization of the gel point in polymer‐modified asphalts is carried out. The viscoelastic properties of polymer‐modified asphalts, in which the polymer is styrene–ethylene butylene–styrene (SEBS) with grafted maleic anhydride (MAH), were measured as a function of MAH concentration. The crosslinking reaction that leads to gelation is characterized by power‐law frequency‐dependent loss and storage modulus (G″ and G′). The relaxation exponent n (a viscoelastic parameter related to the cluster size of the gel) and gel strength S (related to the mobility on the crosslinked chain segments) were determined. The value of the power‐law exponents depends on the composition of polymer, ranging from 0.30 to 0.56, while the value of the rigidity modulus at the gelation point (S) increases with the amount of reactive groups of the modifier polymer. Both n and S are temperature‐dependent in the blends. The blends containing gels present a coarse morphology, which is related to the rheological properties of the matrix and dispersed phase. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Modification of an o‐cresol formaldehyde epoxy resin by the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer

Two novel liquid crystalline polymers, polydiethyleneglycol bis(4‐hydroxybenzoate) terephthaloyl and block copolymer (PDBH), were synthesized by condensation reaction. The blends of the two liquid crystalline polymers and o‐cresol formaldehyde epoxy resin were prepared by linear phenol‐formaldehyde resin as curing reagent. Both mechanical and thermal properties of the blends containing liquid crystalline polymer were improved to a certain extent. By adding 5 wt % PDBH, the impact strength, bending strength, and the glass transition temperature were enhanced by 128%, 23.84%, and 28°C, respectively, compared with the unmodified version. The results of curing kinetics showed that the curing reaction active energy of the modified system by PDBH decreased from 79.70 to 70.26 kJ/mol. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1626–1631, 2005     

Synthesis and swelling properties of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐co‐1‐vinyl‐3‐(3‐sulfopropyl)imidazolium betaine hydrogels

A series of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate/1‐vinyl‐3‐(3‐sulfopropyl)imidazolium betaine (HEMA/VSIB) copolymeric gels were prepared from various molar ratios of HEMA and the zwitterionic monomer VSIB. The influence of the amount of VSIB in copolymeric gels on their swelling behavior in water and various saline solutions at different temperatures and the drug‐release behavior, compression strength, and crosslinking density were investigated. Experimental results indicated that the PHEMA hydrogel and the lower VSIB content (3%) in the HEMA/VSIB gel exhibited an overshooting phenomenon in their dynamic swelling behavior, and the overshooting ratio decreased with increase of the temperature. In the equilibrium water content, the value increased with increase of the VSIB content in HEMA/VSIB hydrogels. In the saline solution, the water content for these gels was not affected by the ion concentration when the salt concentration was lower than the minimum salt concentration (MSC) of poly(VSIB). When the salt concentration was higher than the MSC of poly(VSIB), the deswelling behavior of the copolymeric gel was more effectively suppressed as more VSIB was added to the copolymeric gels. However, the swelling behavior of gels in KI, KBr, NaClO₄, and NaNO₃ solutions at a higher concentration would cause an antipolyelectrolyte phenomenon. Besides, the anion effects were larger than were the cation effects in the presence of a common anion (Cl^?) with different cations and a common cation (K⁺) with different anions for the hydrogel. In drug‐release behavior, the addition of VSIB increased the drug‐release ratio and the release rate. Finally, the addition of VSIB in the hydrogel improved the gel strength and crosslinking density of the gel. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2888–2900, 2001     

Studies on Phenol‐Formaldehyde Gel Formation at a High Temperature and at Different pH

Gel formation characteristic of dilute phenol‐formaldehyde solution in water is studied at an elevated temperature near 140°C. It is experimentally found that at a temperature range of 135°C to 140°C, a solution containing 3.0% phenol with the phenol‐formaldehyde mole ratio 1.0:3.5 forms a gel in the pH range of 9.6 to 12.0. The minimum gelling time is observed at a pH value of 10.4. The gel formation is found to be strongly dependent on the pH at this elevated temperature. An explanation for the gelling behaviour is presented, which is based on an optimum ion concentration of Na⁺ to initiate the tri‐methylol formation. It is hypothesized that the gel formation begins when concentration of tri‐methylol phenol attains a threshold concentration value. Experimental observations and a kinetic analysis provide support for this hypothesis.     

Polymer gel electrolytes prepared from P(EG‐co‐PG) and their nanocomposites using organically modified montmorillonite

Polymer gel electrolytes were prepared by thermal crosslinking reaction of a series of acrylic end‐capped poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) [P(EG‐co‐PG)] having various geometries and molecular weights. Acrylic end‐capped prepolymers were prepared by the esterification of low molecular weight (M_n: 1900–5000) P(EG‐co‐PG) with acrylic acid. The linear increase in the ionic conductivity of polymer gel electrolyte films was observed with increasing temperature. The increase in the conductivity was also monitored by increasing the molecular weight of precursor polymer. Nanocomposite electrolytes were prepared by the addition of 5 wt % of organically modified layered silicate (montmorillonite) into the gel polymer electrolytes. The enhancement of the ionic conductivity as well as mechanical properties was observed in the nanocomposite systems. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 894–899, 2004     

Thermal gelation properties of methyl and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose

Aqueous solutions of methyl and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose are known to gel upon heating. These gels are completely reversible in that they are formed upon heating yet will liquefy upon cooling. The precipitation temperature, gelation temperature, and gel strength of these methylcellulose solutions were determined as a function of molecular weight, degree of methyl and hydroxypropyl substitution, concentration, and presence of additives. The precipitation temperature of these polymer solutions decreases initially with increasing concentration until a critical concentration is reached above which the precipitation temperature is little affected by concentration changes. The incipient gelation temperature decreases linearly with concentration. The strength of these gels is time dependent, increases with increasing molecular weight, decreases with increasing hydroxypropyl substitution, and depends on the nature of additives. Hydrophobe–hydrophobe interaction or micellar interaction is postulated to be the cause of gelation. This thermal gelation property of the polymers is utilized in many end uses including food, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, tobacco, and other industrial applications.     

Preparation and characterization by radiation of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) hydrogels containing aloe vera

In these studies, hydrogels for wound dressings were made from a mixture of aloe vera and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) by freezing and thawing, γ‐Ray irradiation, or a two‐step process of freezing and thawing and γ‐ray irradiation. We examined the physical properties, including gelation, water absorptivity, gel strength, and degree of water evaporation, to evaluate the applicability of these hydrogels for wound dressings. The PVA:PVP ratio was 6:4, the dry weight of aloe vera was in the range 0.4–1.2 wt %, and the solid concentration of the PVA/PVP/aloe vera solution was 15 wt %. We used γ radiation doses of 25, 35, and 50 kGy to expose mixtures of PVA/PVP/aloe vera to evaluate the effect of radiation dose on the physical properties of the hydrogels. Gel content and gel strength increased as the concentration of aloe vera in the PVA/PVP/aloe vera gels decreased and as radiation dose increased and the number of freeze–thaw cycles was increased. The swelling degree was inversely proportional to the gel content and gel strength. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1477–1485, 2003     

Development of a gel spinning process for high‐strength poly(ethylene oxide) fibers

This article describes a new gel‐spinning process for making high‐strength poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) fibers. The PEO gel‐spinning process was enabled through an oligomer/polymer blend in place of conventional organic solvents, and the gelation and solvent‐like properties were investigated. A 92/8 wt% poly(ethylene glycol)/PEO gel exhibited a melting temperature around 45°C and was highly stretchable at room temperature. Some salient features of a gel‐spun PEO fiber with a draw ratio of 60 are tensile strength at break = 0.66 ± 0.04 GPa, Young's modulus = 4.3 ± 0.1 GPa, and a toughness corresponding to 117 MJ/m³. These numbers are significantly higher than those previously reported. Wide‐angle x‐ray diffraction of the high‐strength fibers showed good molecular orientation along the fiber direction. The results also demonstrate the potential of further improvement of mechanical properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:2839–2847, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Adsorption of ammonium and nitrate ions by poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) gel and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐chlorophyllin) gel in different states

The adsorption of ammonium and nitrate by temperature‐stimulus‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (NIPA) gel and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐chlorophyllin) (NIPA‐CH) gel in different states was investigated. Both the NIPA gel and NIPA‐CH gel could adsorb ammonium and nitrate in a swollen state (swollen gel) and a swelling state (swelling gel), and they adsorbed ammonium more than nitrate. When the gels were shrinking (shrinking gel), they could adsorb a little ammonium from solution, but when the gels were in a shrunken state (shrunken gel), they hardly adsorbed ammonium. The adsorption of both ammonium and nitrate increased for the swelling NIPA gel in comparison with the swollen gel. The NIPA‐CH gel was the opposite in this respect. The difference in the amounts of adsorption of ammonium and nitrate by the swollen and swelling NIPA‐CH gels was more significant than that of the NIPA gels. It was suggested that ions such as ammonium and nitrate could not diffuse into the gels freely. The adsorption of ammonium and nitrate was affected not only by the phase transitions of the gels but also by the electrical charges. The experimental results for the adsorption of ammonium and nitrate during the volume changes of the gels imply that if the gels are applied to the immobilization of microorganisms, they may improve mass transfer between the immobilization matrix and bulk liquid under cyclic temperature changes and promote reactions of the immobilized microorganisms, especially the nitrification of nitrifying bacteria immobilized by the NIPA‐CH gel. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2367–2372, 2005