Thermal-responsive nanocomposite hydrogel based on graphene oxide-polyvinyl alcohol/poly (N-isopropylacrylamide)

Abstract

A novel graphene oxide-polyvinyl alcohol/poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel (GO-PVA/PNIPA hydrogel) with temperature sensitivity is prepared through in situ free-radical polymerization and freezing-thawing cyclic process. In this study, mechanical property and temperature sensitive property of GO-PVA/PNIPA hydrogel are investigated. The results show that the mechanical strength of GO-PVA/PNIPA hydrogels are enhanced with the increasing content of GO and also keeps good temperature sensitivity. Graphene oxide acting as a multi-functional crosslinker between PVA and PNIPA is responsible for the improving strength. Furthermore, this GO-PVA/PNIPA hydrogel with excellent mechanical strength holds a great promise as candidate for temperature sensitive material.