Synthesis and characterization of temperature-sensitive and biodegradable hydrogel based on N-isopropylacrylamide

Based on a biodegradable cross-linker, N-maleyl chitosan (N-MACH), a series of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide) [P(NIPAAm-co-Am)] hydrogels were prepared, and their lower critical solution temperature (LCST), swelling kinetics, equilibrium swelling ratio in NaCl solution, and enzymatic degradation behavior in simulated gastric fluids (SGF) were discussed. The LCST did not change with different cross-linker contents. By altering the NIPAAm/Am molar ratio of P(NIPAAm-co-Am) hydrogels, the LCST could be increased to 39°C. The LCST of the hydrogel was significantly influenced by the monomer ratio of the NIPAAm/Am but not by the cross-linker content. In the swelling kinetics, all the dry hydrogels exhibited fast swelling behavior, and the swelling ratios were influenced by the cross-linker content and NIPAAm/Am molar ratios. Equilibrium swelling ratio of all the hydrogels decreased with increasing NaCl solution concentration. In enzymatic degradation tests, the weight loss of hydrogels was dependent on the cross-linker contents and the enzyme concentration.      

Synthesis of dual pH- and temperature-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)/sewage sludge ash hydrogel with the simultaneously high performance of swelling and deswelling

An advanced dual pH- and temperature-sensitive hydrogel (NASH2.5) was optimally synthesized through modification of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) hydrogel with introducing 5 mol% acrylic acid (AA) and 2.5 wt% sewage sludge ash (SSA). The swelling kinetic results showed that NASH2.5 exhibited both high equilibrium swelling ratio and swelling rate, which was attributed to the higher porous structure as shown in scanning electron microscope, and the more hydrogen bonding formed inside of the hydrogel as investigated in Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. In addition, its curve was better fitted to the pseudo-second-order model, indicating that the water absorption process was dominated by chemisorption through forming the hydrogen bonding among the water molecules and carboxyl/silanol groups of the hydrogel. Compared with the pure NIPAM hydrogel, the water transport mechanism switched from Case I diffusion to Case II diffusion by introduction of AA and further SSA. Furthermore, through the results of the deswelling kinetics in pH value change (from 9 to 4 and 2, respectively), temperature value change (from 25 to 40, 50, and 60°C, respectively), and dual pH and temperature values changes, NASH2.5 not only presented a high pH sensitivity, but also showed high sensitive to temperature by achieving high water recovery ratio in rapid dehydrated rate. Therefore, the dual stimuli-sensitive hydrogel with the simultaneously high performance of swelling and deswelling would provide a suitable alternative for specific applications such as pollutant adsorption.     

Investigation of the swelling behavior of hydrogels derived from high-molecular-weight poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)

Thermoresponsive hydrogels are of great importance as smart materials. They are usually composed of cross-linked polymers with a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Although much is known about networks of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), all other polymers are somewhat neglected. In this work, the temperature-dependent swelling behavior of differently cross-linked thermoresponsive poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx) hydrogels were investigated with regard to varying parameters of the network composition. It was found that the degrees of swelling of the hydrogels converge for a certain polymer/solvent system at a distinct temperature independent of its degree of cross-linking. Furthermore, this temperature correlates with the LCST of the respective starting PEtOx. Its net chain molecular weight M_c only affects the maximum degree of swelling and thus, the swelling–deswelling rate of the hydrogel. The fundamental structure/property relations found in this study could be useful to predict the behavior of other thermoresponsive hydrogels.     

“Smart” carboxymethylchitosan hydrogels crosslinked with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(acrylic acid) for controlled drug release

Carboxymethylchitosan (CMC) hydrogels containing thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (poly(NIPAAm)) and pH-responsive poly(acrylic acid) (poly(AA)) were prepared via a free radical polymerization in the presence of hexamethylene-1,6-di-(aminocarboxysulfonate) crosslinking agents. A proper ratio of CMC to NIPAAm and AA used in the reaction was investigated such that the thermo- and pH-responsive properties of the hydrogels were obtained. Water swelling of the hydrogels was improved when the solution pH was in basic conditions (pH 10) or the temperature was below its lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Effects of the change in solution temperature and pH on water swelling properties of the hydrogel as well as the releasing rate of an entrapped drug were also investigated. The hydrogels were not toxic and showed antibacterial activity against Straphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The pH- and thermo-responsive properties of this novel “smart” hydrogel might be efficiently used as dual triggering mechanisms in controlled drug release applications.     

Synthesis and properties of a temperature-sensitive chelating hydrogel and its metal complexes

A temperature-sensitive chelating hydrogel was synthesized by the copolymerization of 1-(β-acrylamidoethyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4(1H)-pyridinone (AHMP) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAA) in the presence of N,N' -ethylene-bis-acrylamide as a crosslinking agent. The AHMP-NIPAA hydrogel formed a red complex with iron(III) and a pale green complex with Cu(II), respectively. It was observed that the hydrogel and its metal complexes had a high swelling ratio below the temperature of 35°C, while above that temperature the swelling ratios were dramatically decreased. Furthermore, the swelling ratio of the metal complexes was much lower at the swelling temperature (below 35°C) than that of the hydrogel itself, which might be due to the lower flexibility of the complexes. The iron(III) chelating study showed that the hydrogel had a high chelating efficiency at its swelling temperature, while the chelating efficiency of the hydrogel was very low at its deswelling temperature (>35°C). It was found that the chelating efficiency depended on the swelling ratio of the hydrogel in water, which could be explained by the difference in contactable internal surfaces at different temperatures. The hydrogel and its metal complexes could be easily separated at their deswelling temperature. It was also convenient to regenerate the hydrogel with 1 M HCl for reuse.     

Preparation and separation function of N‐isopropylacrylamide copolymer hydrogels

In this paper, N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) was synthesized by acrylonitrile and isopropanol. Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) was prepared by a chemical method. The dependence of its swelling behavior on temperature was studied. Results showed that PNIPA hydrogel was a temperature‐sensitive gel. Its LCST (lower critical solution temperature) was about 32 °C, and its swelling ratio (at 20 °C) was about 17–18. Sodium acrylate (SA) and sodium methylacrylate (SMA) were copolymerized with NIPA respectively. Equilibrium swelling ratios of the copolymer hydrogels at lower temperature were two to three times that of PNIPA. The LCST of the copolymer hydrogels could be controlled between 32 and 45 °C by adjusting the content of SA or SMA. Kinetics of P(NIPA‐co‐SA) hydrogels, whether swelling or shrinking processes, were in good agreement with apparent second order kinetic equations. Several experiments were designed to separate aqueous bovine serum albumin solution using the hydrogels prepared above. The separation efficiency was about 80%. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and characterization of a novel IPN hydrogel memberane of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/carboxymethyl chitosan (PNIPAAM/CMCS)

A novel type of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) hydrogel membrane of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/carboxymethyl chitosan (PNIPAAm)/(CMCS) was prepared, and the effects of the feed ratio of components, swelling medium and irradiation dose on the swelling and deswelling properties of the hydrogel was systematically studied. The results showed that the introduction of CMCS did not shift the LCST (at 32 °C), which is similar to the pure PNIPAAm. The lowest swelling ratio was at pH 2. There was little influence of irradiation dose on the thermo- and pH-sensitivity of the IPN hydrogel, increasing dose only decreased the swelling ratio. The PNIPAAm:CMCS=1:4 w/w hydrogel was not thermo-sensitive in distilled water, whereas it showed a discontinuous volume phase transition in pH 2 and a continuous one in pH 8 buffer. Consequently, a combination of pH and temperature can be coupled to control the responsive behavior of these hydrogels.     

Collagen-based highly porous hydrogel without any porogen: Synthesis and characteristics

In this contribution we have developed a collagen-based highly porous hydrogel by neutralizing the grafted poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) after gel formation. Preparation of the hydrogels involved free radical polymerization of a combination of hydrolyzed collagen, acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AAm) and distilled water, in appropriate amounts and contained a crosslinking agent called N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide (MBA). The chemical structure of the hydrogels was characterized by means of FTIR spectroscopy, DSC and TGA thermal methods. Morphology of the samples was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Systematically, the certain variables of the graft copolymerization were optimized to achieve maximum swelling capacity. The absorbency under load (AUL) and centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) were measured. The swelling ratio in various salt solutions was also determined and additionally, the swelling of hydrogels was measured in solutions with pH ranged 1-13. The synthesized hydrogel exhibited a pH-responsiveness character so that a swelling-collapsing pulsatile behavior was recorded at pH 2 and 8.     

聚(4-乙酰基丙烯酰乙酸乙酯-co-丙烯酸)水凝胶的溶胀动力学以及温度敏感性研究

通过分子结构设计, 合成了疏水性单体4-乙酰基丙烯酰乙酸乙酯(AAEA), 并以该单体与丙烯酸(AA)进行自由基溶液共聚, 制备了P(AAEA-co-AA)新型温度敏感性水凝胶. AAEA的¹H NMR及FT-IR分析表明, 该单体主要以烯醇式结构存在; P(AAEA-co-AA)的FT-IR分析发现, PAAEA与PAA之间存在较强烈的氢键作用, 使得AAEA烯醇异构体中的C—O伸缩振动吸收峰移向了低波数处. 对冷冻干燥后凝胶的电镜分析发现, 当AAEA用量较高时, 由于凝胶内部分子链段的疏水聚集, 各部分溶胀度以及溶胀速度不均一而使得凝胶表面粗糙不平. 采用DSC对凝胶的体积相转变进行了研究, 结果表明, 该水凝胶的体积相转变温度(VPTT)在48.2至61.8 ℃之间, 并且随着AAEA用量的减小, 凝胶的VPTT逐渐增加. 对该新型温度敏感性水凝胶在去离子水中的溶胀动力学研究发现, 当AAEA用量高于4.6 g时, 凝胶属于Fick凝胶; 反之凝胶则属于非Fick凝胶. 该水凝胶在去离子水中具有良好的温度敏感性, 当外界温度低于VPTT时, 凝胶能保持溶胀状态; 而当外界温度高于VPTT时, 凝胶的平衡溶胀度迅速下降, 表现为温度敏感性. 进一步研究发现, 凝胶组成不仅会影响凝胶的VPTT, 而且会影响凝胶温度敏感性的强弱.     

温度及pH敏感性共聚物水凝胶的合成及其对辅酶A的控制释放

以N-乙烯基吡咯烷酮(NVP)和甲基丙烯酸-N,N-二甲胺乙酯(DMAEMA)为单体,采用自由基聚合法合成了NVP与DMAEMA的共聚物及其水凝胶。研究发现共聚物的水溶液具有温度及pH双重敏感特性。相分离温度随DMAEMA含量的增加和水溶液浓度的降低而升高,随pH值的增大而减小且相变敏锐。通过对水凝胶溶胀率的考察,发现共聚凝胶在适当的单体浓度及交联剂浓度下,有较敏感的溶胀-退胀行为。在碱性条件下,共聚凝胶随温度的升高迅速退胀。pH=9时,改变温度,对辅酶A有很好的控制释放;而在酸性条件下,则无退胀行为,对辅酶A不能释放。     

Preparation of a novel pH-responsive silver nanoparticle/poly(HEMA-PEGMA-MAA) composite hydrogel

In this paper, series of novel pH-responsive silver (Ag) nanoparticle/poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA)-methacrylic acid (MAA)) composite hydrogel were successfully prepared by in situ reducing Ag⁺ ions anchored in the hydrogel by the deprotonized carboxyl acid groups. X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electric conductivity tests were used to characterize the composite system. It was found that the size and morphology of the reduced Ag nanoparticles in the composite hydrogels could be changed by loading the Ag⁺ ions at various swelling ratios of hydrogel. Moreover, compared to the pure poly(HEMA-PEGMA-MAA) hydrogel, not only did the Ag nanoparticle/poly(HEMA-PEGMA-MAA) composite hydrogels exhibit much higher swelling ratio and faster deswelling rate, but also higher pH switchable electrical properties upon controlling the interparticle distance under pH stimulus. The pH responsive nanocomposite hydrogel reported here might be a potentially smart material in the range of applications including electronics, biosensors and drug-delivery devices.     

Synthesis and properties of a novel double network nanocomposite hydrogel

A novel polyacrylamide/polyacrylic acid (PAAm/PAA) double network (DN) nanocomposite (NC) hydrogel had been synthesized by two‐step solution polymerization. The PAAm network was crosslinked by inorganic clay while the PAA network was crosslinked by a chemical crosslinker. The chemical structure of the network was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The swelling and mechanical strength properties of PAAm/PAA hydrogels were examined. The results showed that a DN hydrogel achieved both a high swelling capacity of 1219 g/g in deionized water and 124 g/g in 0.9 wt% NaCl solution and high compressive stress of 21.5 kPa in a high water content of 99.58%. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

温敏性半乳糖基化壳聚糖水凝胶的制备及其对HL-7702细胞增殖行为影响的研究

以壳聚糖(CS)为原料,在1-乙基-3-(3-二甲胺丙基)碳-二亚胺盐酸盐(EDC.HCL)和N-羟基琥珀酰亚胺(NHS)的活化作用下,合成了半乳糖基化壳聚糖(GC)单体,并与N-异丙基丙烯酰胺(NIPAAm)反应,制备了温敏性半乳糖基化壳聚糖N-异丙基丙烯酰胺共聚水凝胶(Gal-CS-g-PNIPAAm).通过红外光谱(FTIR)、光电子能谱(XPS)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)等测试方法对其成分和结构进行了表征,并对其溶胀率和表面亲疏水性进行了研究.在Gal-CS-g-PNIPAAm凝胶表面培养人正常肝细胞系(HL-7702),研究其生长、脱附及转载(再增殖)行为.结果表明Gal-CS-g-PNIPAAm水凝胶具有良好的温度响应性和生物相容性,与PNIPAAm水凝胶相比,Gal-CS-g-PNIPAAm凝胶表面更有利于HL-7702细胞增殖.将温度降低至临界温度(LCST,32.5℃)以下,细胞可以从凝胶表面自发脱附,与酶消化脱附相比,细胞损伤更少.Gal-CS-g-PNIPAAm凝胶表面脱附的细胞比PNIPAAm凝胶表面脱附的细胞活性更高,表明PNIPAAm水凝胶引入GC单体后,凝胶的生物相容性得到改善,且脱附后细胞的增殖活力明显增加.     

N,N-双(2-羟乙基)-2-氨基乙磺酸钠为扩链剂的磺酸型聚氨酯水凝胶制备及性能

以异佛尔酮二异氰酸酯(IPDI)、聚乙二醇-2000(PEG)为主要原料,二羟甲基丙酸(DMPA)和N,N-双(2-羟乙基)-2-氨基乙磺酸钠(BES-Na)为亲水性扩链剂,制备了一系列磺酸型聚氨酯水凝胶(WPUHs)。 通过X射线衍射仪、热重分析仪和电子万能测试机对凝胶的结构和性能进行了表征。 结果表明,随着BES-Na质量分数的增加,WPUHs的热稳定性逐渐增加,WPUH7(BES-Na质量分数为3.46%)的压缩强度和压缩模量比WPUH1(BES-Na质量分数为0%)分别提高了2.9倍和3.6倍。 BES-Na的质量分数对WPUHs的溶胀初期过程影响显著,WPUHs的平衡溶胀比从20.6增加至29.3。 WPUHs具有良好的温度和pH敏感性,在10~45 ℃范围内,WPUH7平衡溶胀比从17.6增大至33.8,在pH值为2~10范围内,WPUH7平衡溶胀比从21.7增大至70.6。     

二甲基二烯丙基氯化铵/丙烯酸共聚凝胶的辐射合成与性质研究

采用γ辐射溶液聚合法合成了几种二甲基二烯丙基氯化铵 丙烯酸 (DADMAC AA)共聚凝胶 .实验结果表明单位体积溶液中二组分单体总摩尔数和丙烯酸 (AA)相对含量的增加使共聚凝胶力学强度明显增高 .在两种单体等摩尔比的情况下共聚体的凝胶含量随剂量增加而增加 ,且明显高于聚N ,N′ 二甲基二烯丙基氯化铵 (PolyDADMAC)凝胶 .体系中少量κ 卡拉胶 (KC)的加入可增强共聚凝胶韧性但对凝胶含量和强度影响甚微 .共聚凝胶溶胀性能测定结果表明DADMAC与AA摩尔比为 1∶2时凝胶溶胀比与体系pH值的关系呈现聚两性电解质性质 ,等电点pH值接近 4 5 .这种聚两性电解质性质在对铼Re(Ⅶ )离子浓集中也有所表现     

Synthesis and characterization of thermo-sensitive poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel with fast response rate

Thermo-sensitive poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) hydrogel with fast response rate was prepared by polymerizing N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) in an aqueous hydroxyl-propyl-methyl cellulose solution. The volume phase transition temperature of PNIPA hydrogels was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the surface morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The swelling ratios of the hydrogels at different temperatures were measured. Furthermore, the deswelling kinetics of the hydrogels was also studied by measuring their water retention capacity. In comparison with a conventional PNIPA hydrogel prepared in water, the hydrogel synthesized in aqueous hydroxyl-propyl-methyl cellulose solution has higher swelling ratios at temperatures below the lower critical solution temperature and exhibits a much faster response rate to temperature changes. For example, the hydrogel made in aqueous hydroxyl-propyl-methyl cellulose solution lost 89% water within 1 min and about 93% water in 4 min, whereas the conventional hydrogel lost only about 66% water in 15 min from the deswelling measurement in similar conditions. Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2006, 23(6): 581–585 (in Chinese)     

大孔PAMPS/PVA半互穿网络型水凝胶的制备及其性能研究

以PEG6000为成孔剂, 合成了大孔聚(2-丙烯酰胺-2-甲基丙磺酸)/聚乙烯醇半互穿网络型(s-IPN)水凝胶. 红外分析表明, PVA与PAMPS之间形成了较强的氢键, 使得PVA分子上的C—O伸缩振动吸收峰移向了低波数处. X射线衍射分析发现, 当PVA用量较高时, 由于部分的PVA结晶, 使得凝胶的半互穿网络结构不均匀. 电镜分析结果表明, 没有使用成孔剂的凝胶表面成褶皱形, 不存在任何孔洞结构; 而以PEG6000为成孔剂的凝胶表面存在相互贯穿的大孔结构. 研究了该水凝胶的溶胀性能, 结果表明, 该水凝胶的平衡溶胀度在116至320之间; 而成孔剂PEG6000的加入能较大幅度提高凝胶的溶胀速率, 凝胶在240 min之内就能达到溶胀平衡. 对凝胶抗压缩性能的研究表明, 当PVA用量为9.1% (w)时, 凝胶的抗压缩强度最大, 可达12.0 MPa; 而成孔剂的加入会在一定程度削弱凝胶的抗压缩强度. 该凝胶具有较好的电场敏感性, 研究发现, 将吸去离子水达到溶胀平衡的凝胶放入施加有电场的0.2 mol•L－1 NaCl溶液中时, 凝胶迅速偏向阳极. 而PVA和成孔剂PGE6000的用量均对凝胶的偏转速度以及最大偏转角存在较大的影响.     

Synthesis, characterization and swelling properties of a chemically cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel

A poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel was prepared by coupling poly(vinyl alcohol) with epichlorohydrin as the cross-linking agent. The structure of the hydrogel was characterized by FTIR and GPC techniques. Various amounts of water were added into the dry gel to swell it, and the quantity of water in various states in the partially swollen hydrogel was determined by DSC technique. The analytical results indicate that the water introduced into the dry gel first combines with the hydrophilic groups of the network chains through hydrogen bond forming non-freezable water. The weight ratio of the non-freezable water to dry gel in the hydrogels is about 0.20. After the non-freezable water is saturated, the additional water penetrates the network space and exists simultaneously both in the freezable and free water states until reaching equilibrium swelling. Translated from Acta Polymeric Sinica, 2006, (5): 671–675 (in Chinese)     

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable hydrophobic–hydrophilic hydrogel networks with a controlled swelling property

A biodegradable polymer network hydrogel system with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic components was synthesized and characterized. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic components were dextran and poly(D,L )lactic acid (PDLLA), respectively. These two polymers were chemically modified for incorporating unsaturated groups for subsequent UV crosslinking to generate a hydrogel with a three‐dimensional network structure. The effects of the reaction conditions on the synthesis of a dextran derivative of allyl isocyanate (dex‐AI) were studied. All newly synthesized materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and NMR. The swelling property of the hydrogels was studied in buffer solutions of different pHs. The results of this study showed that a wide‐range swelling property was obtained by changes in the dex‐AI/PDLLA composition ratio, the type and degree of unsaturated groups incorporated into dextran, and the UV photocrosslinking time. The solvent extraction effect on the swelling property of the hydrogels was also studied. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2392–2404, 2000     

Preparation and characterization of temperature- and pH-sensitive hemicellulose-containing hydrogels

In this work, a hemicellulose-containing hydrogel was synthesized. As the first step, a temperature- and pH-sensitive copolymer was synthesized from itaconic acid and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm). Then the hydrogel was prepared by reacting the copolymer with acylated hemicellulose and polyvinyl alcohol. The morphology, compressive strength, thermal stability, swelling/deswelling behavior, drug-release behavior performances of the hydrogels were investigated. The lower critical solution temperature of the hydrogels varied in 34–44°C when the NIPAAm and itaconic acid mass ratios ranged in 100/0–90/10. Both temperature and pH had a significant influence on equilibrium swelling ratio of hydrogels. The equilibrium swelling ratio increased with pH, but decreased with temperature. Cytocompatibility assay demonstrated that this hemicellulose-containing hydrogel was biocompatible. The release process of salicylic acid suggested that this hydrogel had a potential use in controlled drug release.