Amphiphilic networks. VII. Synthesis and characterization of pH-sensitive poly(sulfoethyl methacrylate)-1-polyisobutylene networks

A series of environmentally sensitive amphiphilic networks consisting of 2-sulfoethyl methacrylate (SEMA) chains linked by methacrylate-ditelechelic polyisobutylene (MA–PIB–MA) chains have been prepared and characterized. Network composition was determined after sequential solvent extraction by elemental analysis. These networks are two-phase microheterogeneous systems containing hydrophobic rubbery PIB domains (T_g ～ ?60°C) and hydrophilic poly(2-sulfoethyl methacrylate) domains (T_g ～ ?15°C). They exhibit large contact-angle hysteresis in water which is due to surface segmental mobility and microheterogeneity. By increasing the SEMA content of the networks the contact-angle hysteresis increases. This phenomenon is due to an increase in the advancing contact angle most likely caused by the migration of the nonpolar PIB domains toward the surface and concomitant decrease of the receding contact angle. These amphiphilic networks exhibit non-Fickian swelling in n-heptane, as well as in water, and show pH-sensitive swelling in aqueous media. They rapidly and reversibly swell and deswell in response to increasing or decreasing the pH of the media (cycling between pH = 2 and 12). © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.