Synthesis of temperature responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) using ultrasound irradiation

BM Teo; SW Prescott; GJ Price; F Grieser; M Ashokkumar

Journal article

Synthesis of temperature responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) using ultrasound irradiation

BM Teo, SW Prescott, GJ Price, F Grieser, M Ashokkumar

Journal of Physical Chemistry B | AMER CHEMICAL SOC | Published : 2010

DOI: 10.1021/jp9114817

Abstract

Ultrasound was employed to synthesize poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) [poly(NIPAM)] either as aqueous solutions or microgels in the absence of a chemical initiator. Poly(NIPAM) of different microstructures can be readily prepared via ultrasound irradiation by varying the reaction temperature. At a preparation temperature of 20 °C, poly(NIPAM) was formed in aqueous solutions, whereas, at a higher preparation temperature (beyond the lower critical solution temperature of approximately 32 °C), poly(NIPAM) microgels were formed. In addition, the high shear gradients generated by the acoustic cavitation process aid to control or vary the molecular weights of poly(NIPAM) formed in aqueous solutions. T..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Franz Grieser Author

Muthupandian Ashokkumar Author

Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

B.T. gratefully acknowledges the receipt of a Melbourne International Research Scholarship, Tom Healy Award, and Postgraduate Overseas Research Scholarship. The financial support from the Particulate Fluids Processing Centre, a Special Research Centre of the Australian Research Council, is also acknowledged.