A new poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) hydrogel was prepared by decreasing the temperature of polymerization/crosslinking reaction below the freezing point (–18°C). This PNIPA hydrogel shows a large swelling ratio at room temperature and exhibits a fast deswelling and reswelling rate in response to external temperature changes. These properties are attributed to the macroporous and regularly arranged network of this PNIPA hydrogel.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Zhang et al. (1999) studied this question.