Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Technical University of Lodz Wroblewskiego 15, 93-590, Lodz, Poland
Abstract:
An alternative method of synthesis of polymeric nanogels is proposed, based not on polymerization, but on intramolecular crosslinking of polymer chains, initiated by pulse irradiation in dilute aqueous solutions. Kinetic data show that for many water-soluble polymers irradiation under these conditions result in intramolecular crosslinking. Preliminary product studies on poly(vinyl alcohol) indicate that in fact internally crosslinked macromolecules can be obtained by this technique.