Experimental Research on the Respondent Behavior of a New Intelligent Hydrogel Prepared by MLTP‐Initiated Polymerization

In order to overcome the shortcomings of unitary hydrogels, a new type of binary intelligent hydrogen [P(AMPS/NIPA)], which has the characters of both PAMPS and PNIPA, was synthesized from AMPS and NIPA by Microwave Low Temperature Plasma (MLTP)‐initiated polymerization. The characteristics of the binary hydrogel were studied in detail. Firstly, the effects of MLTP treatment power and time on swelling ratio were discussed, the composition and the three dimensional crosslinked network of the hydrogel were studied by means of infrared spectra and polarizing optic microscope photos. Secondly, temperature‐sensitivity, swelling/deswelling kinetics and pH‐sensitivity of the hydrogel were investigated, respectively. The results showed that the P(AMPS/NIPA) hydrogel prepared by MLTP‐initiated polymerization had a large swelling ratio, rapid respondent speed, good temperature‐sensitivity and pH‐sensitivity and it was a better intelligent hydrogel with high performance.

Keywords:

• MLTP‐initiated polymerization
• P(AMPS/NIPA)
• intelligent hydrogel
• network
• temperature‐sensitivity
• pH‐sensitivity