Preparation of homogeneous polyacrylamide hydrogels by free-radical crosslinking copolymerization

Esra Arzu Kuru, Nermin Orakdogen, Oguz Okay*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Network microstructures of acrylamide (AAm)-based hydrogels were investigated by static and dynamic light scattering techniques. The hydrogels were prepared by free-radical crosslinking copolymerization of the monomers acrylamide (AAm), N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) with N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide) as a crosslinker in aqueous solutions. It was observed that the addition of DMA or NIPA into the comonomer feed suppresses the extent of frozen concentration fluctuations in polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels. The cooperative diffusion coefficient increases while both the static and dynamic correlation lengths decrease as the amount of DMA in the comonomer feed is increased. Formation of homogeneous PAAm hydrogels by introduction of hydrophobic moieties was explained as a result of the steric effect of the bulky side groups on DMA or NIPA segments.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2913-2921
Number of pages9
JournalEuropean Polymer Journal
Volume43
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2007

Funding

Work was supported by the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), TBAG –105T246. O. Okay is very grateful to Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung for a grant.

FundersFunder number
TUBITAKTBAG –105T246
Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung
Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştirma Kurumu

    Keywords

    • Hydrogels
    • Inhomogeneity
    • Light scattering
    • Polyacrylamide

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Preparation of homogeneous polyacrylamide hydrogels by free-radical crosslinking copolymerization'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this