Synthesis and characterization of a novel thermosensitive gel with fast response

A gel is a kind of water-swellable but water-insoluble, crosslinked polymer. Some kinds of gels can respond to external temperature changes. This specific property is useful in biomedical and other technological fields. In this paper the synthesis of a novel, thermosensitive gel by the copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide or N,N- diethylacrylamide with 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxy silane (MPTMS) is reported. The formation of the gel is caused through the interaction of MPTMS under acidic condition. This thermosensitive gel can deswell and reswell quickly in response to the external temperature changes, this behavior probably being due to the heterogeneous structure of the gel produced. This fast-response gel may be useful both in biomedical and biotechnological fields. Received: 17 March 1999 Accepted on revised form: 9 June 1999