Uv Polymerization of Poly (N-Isopropylacrylamide) Hydrogel

This contribution is focused on the determination of polymerization and crosslinking mechanism of poly (N-isopropylacralymide) hydrogel and its swelling properties. Hydrogels were synthesized by environmental friendly UV polymerization method, from monomer N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and crosslinker N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) of different concentrations. UV polymerization was performed in an UV chamber using UVA light with the wave length 350 nm. Surface morphology and pore structure analysis was carried out using SEM microscopy. The polymerization and crosslinking mechanism was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). It was confirmed that crosslinker concentration influences the hydrogel structure and swelling properties. By increasing the crosllinker concentration the hydrogel structure changes from homogen to heterogen and the equilibrium degree of swelling decreases.