Proceedings of the Polymer Society of Korea Conference (한국고분자학회:학술대회논문집)

The Polymer Society of Korea (한국고분자학회)
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Thermosensitive Hydrogels Based on IPNs and Emulsion Blends of Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) and Polyurethane

  • Cho, Sung-Man (Dept. of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University) ;
  • Kim, Byung-Kyu (Dept. of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University)
  • Published : 2006.10.13
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Abstract

Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) shows a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) at $32^{\circ}C$. Consequently, its thermosensitivity has extensively been investigated in coating materials as well as biomedical and agricultural industry. However, mechanical properties of the swollen gels are generally poor and reinforcement is often desired. A series of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) and emulsion blends hydrogels of polyurethane (PU) and PNIPAAm were prepared in order to overcome the shortcomings of a normal PNIPAAm hydrogels. Regarding the mechanical reinforcement of swollen gel, a significant increase in compression and tensile properties has been obtained by incorporating PU.

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