Tetra-Sensitive Graft Copolymer Gels as Active Material of Chemomechanical Valves

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels combine sensor and actuator properties by converting an environmental stimulus into mechanical work. Those materials are highly interesting for applications as a chemomechanical valve in microsystem technologies. However, studies about key characteristics of hydrogels for this application are comparatively rare, and further research is needed to emphasize their real potential. The first part of this study depicts the synthesis of grafted hydrogels based on a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) backbone and pH-sensitive poly(acrylic acid) graft chains. The chosen approach of grafted hydrogels provides the preparation of multiresponsive hydrogels, which retain temperature sensitivity besides being pH-responsive. A pronounced salt and solvent response is additionally achieved. Key characteristics for an application as a chemomechanical valve of the graft hydrogels are revealed: (1 …

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7565–7576
JournalACS applied materials & interfaces
Volume9
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2017
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85014156161
ORCID /0000-0002-8588-9755/work/142246758
ORCID /0000-0002-4531-691X/work/148607946

Keywords