Film formation from PS latex doped PNIPAM hydrogels at various heating and cooling rates

Film formation from polystrene (PS) latex doped poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogels was studied by using photon transmission technique. The transmitted light intensity, I _tr was monitored during film formation process. Films were prepared by annealing, 10 wt% PS doped PNIPAM particles at five different heating and cooling rates at temperatures ranging from 10 to 100°C. I _tr presented a hysteresis loops during heating–cooling cycles, which were explained by void closure and void reconstruction processes. The corresponding activation energies were measured during reversible film formation process. Void closure and void reconstruction models were introduced to produce the activation energies.     

Synthesis of Novel Double Network Hydrogels via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Novel double network (DN) hydrogels were prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of the first network using two different initiators, and followed by ultraviolet (UV) photo-initiated polymerization for the second network. The first networks of DN hydrogels were prepared by using two different initiators; one is a one-side initiator, and the other is a double-side initiator. The mechanical properties of various DN gels, such as water content and compressive strength, were studied. The network structure of the DN hydrogels was also characterized by dynamic light scattering. Thus, we demonstrated that the ATRP method is useful to control the network structure of the first network for DN gels. Extensive inhomogeneous structure of the first network was obtained by ATRP method and increased both the swelling degree and softness of DN gels.     

THERMAL-SENSITIVE BETA-CYCLODEXTRIN-CONTAINING POLY(N-ISOPROPYLACRYLAMIDE) HYDROGELS CROSSLINKED BY Si-O-Si BONDS -SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND PROLONGING IN VITRO RELEASE OF 5-FLUOROURACIL

A series of novel p(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogels were synthesized by radical copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS). The copolymers were then crosslinked through hydrolysis of the siloxane in acetic acid/water mixed solvent. Beta-cyclodextrin (Beta-CD) was introduced into the polymeric networks by condensation of 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane derived beta-cyclodextrin (KH560-beta-CD) with MPTMS under acidic condition. These gels were heterogeneous, porous and exhibited fast deswelling kinetics when the temperature was elevated to above lower critical solution temperature (LCST). The swelling ratios of the gels containing beta-CD at room temperature were higher than that of the normal PNIPAM hydrogel, which was caused by the lower crosslinking density in beta-CD contained gels. In comparison to that of the normal PNIPAM gel, the amount of loaded-drug in the hydrogel containing beta-CD was higher, and the release time of 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) was prolonged, which was attributed to the formation of inclusion compounds between 5-Fu and beta-CD in gel network.